Viking Origins: The Nordic Iron Age
Summary
Dr. Marianne Hem-Eriksson explores the Long Nordic Iron Age, tracing the transition from Bronze Age networks to the emergence of Viking society. The discussion covers the collapse of bronze trade, the rise of local iron production, and the impact of Roman contact on Scandinavian culture, including the adoption of elite hall feasting and drinking customs. Hem-Eriksson also examines burial practices, the social significance of bog bodies, and the development of warrior ideologies that laid the groundwork for the medieval north.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and introduction to the episode
Guest introduction: Dr. Marianne Hem-Eriksson
Defining the Viking Age and its start
The Long Nordic Iron Age: timeline and scope
Collapse of Bronze Age networks and societal shift
Celtic influence and early Iron Age connections
Settlement patterns and regional identities
Power structures, wandering settlements, and culture
Daily life: housing, family, and gender roles
Roman influence, feasting, and gift exchange
Migration period and pressure on Rome
Sponsor breaks and commercial interruptions
Burial practices and mortuary variation
Bog bodies, sacrifices, and wetland deposits
Textiles, dress, and the symbolism of weapons
Warrior ideology and socialization of violence
Battlefield remains and ritual weapon deposits
Trade networks with Rome and inter-Scandinavian exchange
Sami contacts and esoteric knowledge
Ship technology, seafaring, and textile labor
The 6th-century crisis and rise of the Vendel period
Conclusion, related episodes, and final sponsors
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