Fragmented bones in Viking homes suggest frequent domestic violence
Researchers found fragmented bones and skull pieces in early Scandinavian homes, suggesting frequent violence occurred in domestic settings during the Iron Age and Viking Age.
The findings offer new evidence about the prevalence of violence in Viking-era households, though the sample size is limited.
Location of remains
The bones were found in hearths, beneath floors, and in other domestic areas, indicating violence was not confined to battlefields.
Time period
The remains date back to the Iron Age and Viking Age, spanning several centuries of Scandinavian history.
Common questions
What does the presence of bones in homes indicate?
It suggests that violence occurred frequently within domestic spaces, not only in combat situations.
How many sites were studied?
The study examined multiple early Scandinavian settlement sites, though the exact number is not specified.
Sources
- Broken bones in ancient homes shed new light on Viking violence Phys.org · phys.org
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