History of Vikings in Timeline
The Vikings, hailing from Scandinavia, were renowned seafarers who left an indelible mark on history between the 8th and 11th centuries. They were known for their raids, piracy, trade, and settlements across Europe, extending their reach to the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, Greenland, and Vinland. This era, known as the Viking Age, saw their significant influence on the historical development of Scandinavia, the British Isles, France, Estonia, and Kievan Rus'. Their legacy continues to fascinate and inspire to this day.
1929: Last Known Record of Elfdalian Runes
The last known record of the Elfdalian Runes, a variant of the Dalecarlian runes, dates back to 1929. These runes were used by the Elfdalians, an isolated group of people residing in Älvdalen, Sweden, whose language evolved closely with Old Norse. This marked the end of the Runic alphabet's practical use, surviving longer in Älvdalen than anywhere else globally.
1962: Creation of Marvel Comics' Thor
Inspired by Norse mythology, Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby introduced the superhero Thor in Marvel Comics. This marked the beginning of the god of thunder's integration into modern pop culture.
1962: Discovery of Skuldelev Ships
The remains of the Skuldelev ships, including Skuldelev 2, were discovered in Roskilde Fjord, Denmark. This find provided invaluable archaeological data on Viking shipbuilding and maritime practices.
1963: Release of "The Long Ships" Film
Frans Gunnar Bengtsson's novel "The Long Ships," a historical adventure tale set during the Viking Age, was adapted into a film in 1963, further popularizing Viking themes in media.
1993: Release of "The Lost Vikings"
"The Lost Vikings" video game was released in 1993, offering a puzzle-platformer experience with Viking protagonists. This marked an early instance of Vikings being featured in video game narratives.
1998: Voyage of the Snorri
The Snorri, a replica of the Skuldelev I Knarr (a type of Viking cargo ship), successfully sailed from Greenland to Newfoundland. This voyage demonstrated the capabilities of Viking ships for exploration and trade across the North Atlantic.
2002: Release of "Age of Mythology"
Ensemble Studios released "Age of Mythology," a real-time strategy game set in a world of mythology, including Norse mythology. The game allowed players to command Viking armies and gods, further immersing audiences in Viking-inspired narratives and aesthetics.
2005: Tim Severin's Viking Saga Trilogy
British historian and adventurer Tim Severin published a trilogy of novels in 2005 centered on the fictional Viking explorer Thorgils Leifsson. These books, grounded in historical detail, captured imaginations with tales of voyages and Viking culture.
July 2007: Voyage of the Sea Stallion
The Sea Stallion, a reconstruction of the Skuldelev 2 Viking ship, embarked on a journey from Roskilde, Denmark to Dublin, Ireland in July 2007. This voyage aimed to test the ship's seaworthiness and maneuverability, recreating a historical journey using Viking shipbuilding techniques.
August 2007: Sea Stallion Arrives in Dublin
The Sea Stallion successfully completed its voyage, arriving in Dublin in August 2007. This achievement demonstrated the capabilities of Viking shipbuilding and provided insights into their maritime prowess.
2011: Release of "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim"
Bethesda Game Studios released "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim," an open-world action role-playing game with heavy inspiration from Viking culture. The game's setting, characters, and themes resonated with players, showcasing the adaptability of Viking culture in fantasy settings.
2011: Release of Marvel Studios' "Thor"
Thor, the Marvel Comics superhero, made his cinematic debut in 2011 with the release of "Thor." This film, along with its sequels, further cemented the character's presence in contemporary media.
2012: Thor in "The Avengers"
Thor joined forces with other Marvel superheroes in the 2012 film "The Avengers." This crossover event amplified the character's popularity and reach within the superhero genre.
2013: Premiere of "Vikings" TV Series
The History Channel premiered "Vikings," a historical drama series created by Michael Hirst. While drawing inspiration from historical events and figures, the show took creative liberties, weaving together elements from sagas, Norse mythology, and archaeological discoveries to present a fictionalized but captivating portrayal of the Viking Age.
2015: Vikings in "Heroes of the Storm"
Characters from "The Lost Vikings" appeared as playable heroes in the crossover game "Heroes of the Storm." This highlighted the enduring appeal and recognition of these characters within gaming.
2017: Release of "For Honor"
"For Honor," a multiplayer action game featuring Vikings among other historical warrior factions, was released in 2017. The game's combat system and visual style drew heavily from Viking warfare and aesthetics.
2019: Discovery of Viking Boat Graves in Gamla Uppsala
In 2019, archaeological work in Gamla Uppsala, Sweden unearthed two Viking boat graves. One remarkably preserved the remains of a man, a dog, and a horse alongside artifacts, illuminating Viking burial rites and societal structure.
2020: Study of Elite Warrior Burial in Bodzia
A 2020 study by Margaryan et al. examined an elite warrior burial from Bodzia, Poland, dating back to the early 11th century. Genetic analysis revealed the individual, likely of high status, had Scandinavian ancestry and connections to the Kievan Rus, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of Viking culture and interactions during this period.
2020: Genetic and Isotopic Analysis of Salme Ship Burials
In 2020, Margaryan et al. analyzed the skeletal remains of 42 individuals from ship burials in Salme, Estonia, dated to the Viking Age. DNA and isotope analysis revealed that these warriors, buried with weapons and armor, originated from central Sweden, providing insights into Viking Age military movements and cultural connections.
2020: Genetic Study on Viking Ancestry
Margaryan et al. conducted a genetic study in 2020 analyzing the DNA of 442 Viking Age individuals from various archaeological sites across Europe. This study revealed close genetic ties between Vikings and modern Scandinavians. Additionally, the research highlighted the practice of intermarriage between Viking settlers and local populations, as evidenced by a combination of Scandinavian Y-DNA haplogroups and regional autosomal ancestry in certain individuals.
2020: Release of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla"
Ubisoft released "Assassin's Creed Valhalla," an action role-playing game set during the Viking invasion of Britain. This installment offered a historically inspired, albeit fictionalized, experience of Viking warfare, society, and exploration.