Scandinavian history in the Viking age - Department of Anglo-Saxon ...

Scandinavian History in the Viking Age
Gotlandic picture stones
[M180] S. Lindqvist, (ed.), Gotlands Bildsteine, KVHAA arkeologiska monografier 28, 2 vols (1941-42)
[UL S592:01.a.4.35-36]
[M181] E. Nylén and J.P. Lamm, Stones, ships and symbols: the picture stones of Gotland from the
Viking age and before (1988) [UL 596:3.c.95.9]
[M182] M. Srigley, ‘The dream of Troy: an interpretation of the Gotland picture-stones of the late
Vendel and Viking periods, I-II’, Tor 22 (1988-89), 161-87 and 26 (1994), 93-105
[M183] A. Andrén, ‘Doors to other worlds: Scandinavian death rituals in Gotlandic perspectives’, JEA
1:1 (1993), 33-56
[M184] D. Ellmers, ‘Valhalla and the Gotland stones’, (M349):165-71
Iconography
The question of the symbolism of much Scandinavian art, particularly during the early Viking age, is a
difficult one; animal art in particular is tricky to pin down, and often seems like little more than arbitrary
decoration to fill in the abhorred blank space. The Gotlandic picture stones (M180 ff.) are a treasure trove
for the ambitious art-historian in this respect. For other pre-Christian iconographical features, see:
[M190] W. Holmqvist, ‘The dancing gods’, AA 31 (1960), 101-27
[M191] P. Gjærder, ‘The beard as an iconographical feature in the Viking period and the early middle
ages’, AA 35 (1964), 95-114
On early Christian iconography, see (D60 ff.) for Jelling, for studies of runestones (M170 ff.), and:
[M195] E. Cinthio, ‘“Majestas Domini crucifixi”’, MLUHM 1958, 193-218
[M196] S. Horn Fuglesang, ‘Crucifixion iconography in Viking Scandinavia’, (A47):73-94
[M197] M. Blindheim, ‘Byzantine influence on Scandinavian pictorial art in the 11th and 12th centuries’,
(J55):299-313
Crafts and technology
Archaeological research into tools, crafts, and manufacturing is so vast and specialised a field that only a
limited selection is included here; for all aspects of the field, the introductory reader is referred to the
handbooks in (A), while much useful material is also to be found scattered throughout items on
excavations of rural (M25 ff.) and urban (N160 ff.) sites. For individual aspects the articles in KLNM
(A70) remain invaluable guides, even if they have sometimes been superseded by more recent
discoveries.
[M200] For older general surveys, see the ‘Nordisk kultur’ series [UL 592:01.b.1.1 ff.], in particular: [a]
14: Från trä till stål, ed. S. Erixon (1953); [b] 15: Lergods, ädelmetaller och vävnader, ed. S. Erixon
(1953). Also useful are the items on weaponry and dress: [c] 12:B: Vapen, ed. B. Thordeman (1943); [d]
15:B: Dragt, ed. P. Nørlund (1941)
[M201] D.M. Wilson and M.L. Caygill, (edd.), Economic aspects of the Viking age, British Museum
occasional paper 30 (1981) [UL OP.1100.70.07(30)]
Tools
[M205] J. Petersen, Vikingetidens redskaper, SDNVAO 1951:4 [UL 500:01.b.4.67] (E.s.); the standard
catalogue
[M206] G. Arwidsson and G. Berg, The Mästermyr find: a Viking age tool chest from Gotland (1983)
[UL S592.b.98.22]
Weaponry
For important surveys of swords found in the East, see (J40 ff.); for Scandinavia, also (M200c). Most
excavation reports of rich burials in particular will include comments on weaponry found within; for
more general surveys:
[M210] H. Falk, Altnordische Waffenkunde, SDNVAO 1914:6 [UL 500:01.b.4.18]
[M211] J. Petersen, De norske vikingesverd: en typologisk-kronologisk studie over vikingetidens vaaben,
SDNVAO 1919:2 [UL 500:01.b.4.23]; remains the classic survey of swords and their chronology
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