WHAT HAVE THE VIKINGS LEFT BEHIND FOR HISTORIANS TO STUDY?
Many historians have found remains of Viking houses, burial sites, treasure and carvings on stones. Many English words originally came from the Viking language. Stories were left behind that contain real events and leaders which historians can study to create an idea of the everyday life of the Vikings.
Viking House
Called a longhouse, these houses have been studied by many historians. Historians have found that a main building was up to about 30 metres long. A roof was often made by using straw. The walls of a Viking longhouse are often built from wood. This was because many of these homes were surrounded by many of trees. For houses not surrounded by trees, houses would be built from turf or thatch.
Called a longhouse, these houses have been studied by many historians. Historians have found that a main building was up to about 30 metres long. A roof was often made by using straw. The walls of a Viking longhouse are often built from wood. This was because many of these homes were surrounded by many of trees. For houses not surrounded by trees, houses would be built from turf or thatch.
Viking Burial Sites
There were many different ways the Vikings would bury their deceased. The most popular were either graves dug in the ground or a system called ship burial. This is where the deceased was buried in a boat. This boat was used as a container for the dead to be kept in. Since the Vikings' were explorers, many funerals would take part at sea. This made them start to use cremation as a funeral practice.
Treasure
Viking raids were very common in daily life. Treasure they stole from raids included silver, gold, jewelry, spices and silk.
Stone Carvings
Also known as runestones, stone carvings gave recognition to Scandinavians who went on expeditions. The Viking people could use a runestone to read or write with an alphabet called runor. Most of these stone carvings were found in Sweden, but some were also found in Norway and Scandinavia. These rubestones are important sources that historians use to study and discover more about the Vikings.
There were many different ways the Vikings would bury their deceased. The most popular were either graves dug in the ground or a system called ship burial. This is where the deceased was buried in a boat. This boat was used as a container for the dead to be kept in. Since the Vikings' were explorers, many funerals would take part at sea. This made them start to use cremation as a funeral practice.
Treasure
Viking raids were very common in daily life. Treasure they stole from raids included silver, gold, jewelry, spices and silk.
Stone Carvings
Also known as runestones, stone carvings gave recognition to Scandinavians who went on expeditions. The Viking people could use a runestone to read or write with an alphabet called runor. Most of these stone carvings were found in Sweden, but some were also found in Norway and Scandinavia. These rubestones are important sources that historians use to study and discover more about the Vikings.
WHAT IS THE VIKINGS LASTING LEGACY?
Overall, the Vikings left a strong lasting legacy that has been carried down for about 1,300 years. The legacy that the Vikings passed down to us is still in use today and shows that the Vikings had an effective way of life that helps us in today's life.
English Language
After the 14th and 15th centuries, many English words had died and had been replaced by different languages including French and Scandinavian.
Place Names
Place names were used for people today to know how vast the settlement of the Vikings was. The Vikings impacted many place name locations including the Danelaw regions, the Five Boroughs, the south-eastern Midlands, and East Anglia. Vikings choose specific place names determined by geographical features or depending on the founder of that location. For example, settlements in Scandinavian can easily be detected by the suffix "by". This usually means village. Other settlements can also be identified by the suffix "thorpe." Using place names helps historians discover where the Vikings established land.
Words and Vocabulary
The most common Viking words came from the Old Norse. This includes words that start with "sk". Other words from the Old Norse have to do with law, proving that the Vikings helped in setting up a legal system in the Danelaw and demonstrating the influence the Vikings had on the English language.
After the 14th and 15th centuries, many English words had died and had been replaced by different languages including French and Scandinavian.
Place Names
Place names were used for people today to know how vast the settlement of the Vikings was. The Vikings impacted many place name locations including the Danelaw regions, the Five Boroughs, the south-eastern Midlands, and East Anglia. Vikings choose specific place names determined by geographical features or depending on the founder of that location. For example, settlements in Scandinavian can easily be detected by the suffix "by". This usually means village. Other settlements can also be identified by the suffix "thorpe." Using place names helps historians discover where the Vikings established land.
Words and Vocabulary
The most common Viking words came from the Old Norse. This includes words that start with "sk". Other words from the Old Norse have to do with law, proving that the Vikings helped in setting up a legal system in the Danelaw and demonstrating the influence the Vikings had on the English language.
Viking Raids
Viking raids and taking over land caused the formation of independent kingdoms of England and Scotland, which show the leadership and conquests that have influenced us today. These traces of settlement, conquest and daily life have helped historians preserve the Vikings' beliefs and help us add to our own society.
Ships
The Vikings were well known for their craftsmanship when it came to building ships. The most known ship the Vikings built was called the longship. They built this ship for the use of warefare and exploration, meaning it had to be able to withstand hard conditions. Designed for speed and agility, this ship could also navigate through wind with the help of oars. The Vikings made the boat with a long, narrow hull that had a shallow draft to help get through or land in shallow water. This shows that they excelled in the technique of building a ship that could withstand through many different situations. These ships helped with transportation, exploration, raids, conquests and trade. This legacy of ships the Vikings have left for us has helped us increase the craftsmanship of our ships today, helping us prosper in society.
Plunder & Power
Gaining power was very difficult back in the Vikings' time, so a stable network of trade and navigation techniques influenced their position of power. Even today we use these techniques to expand and influence society. The Vikings also had an excellent way of building ships that was later passed on and improved by our very own society, showing that the Vikings had yet again another lasting legacy that helped improve not just our transportation, but also our communication with other societies. We can truly say that the Vikings had many legacies that are now passed onto us.
Viking raids and taking over land caused the formation of independent kingdoms of England and Scotland, which show the leadership and conquests that have influenced us today. These traces of settlement, conquest and daily life have helped historians preserve the Vikings' beliefs and help us add to our own society.
Ships
The Vikings were well known for their craftsmanship when it came to building ships. The most known ship the Vikings built was called the longship. They built this ship for the use of warefare and exploration, meaning it had to be able to withstand hard conditions. Designed for speed and agility, this ship could also navigate through wind with the help of oars. The Vikings made the boat with a long, narrow hull that had a shallow draft to help get through or land in shallow water. This shows that they excelled in the technique of building a ship that could withstand through many different situations. These ships helped with transportation, exploration, raids, conquests and trade. This legacy of ships the Vikings have left for us has helped us increase the craftsmanship of our ships today, helping us prosper in society.
Plunder & Power
Gaining power was very difficult back in the Vikings' time, so a stable network of trade and navigation techniques influenced their position of power. Even today we use these techniques to expand and influence society. The Vikings also had an excellent way of building ships that was later passed on and improved by our very own society, showing that the Vikings had yet again another lasting legacy that helped improve not just our transportation, but also our communication with other societies. We can truly say that the Vikings had many legacies that are now passed onto us.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Works Cited:
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014
"Legacy of the Vikings." BBC News. BBC, 17 Nov. 2004. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Overview: The Vikings, 800 to 1066." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
"Viking Homes." Viking Homes. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Viking Runestones." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"What Happened to the Vikings?" BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Vikings." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Apr. 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014
"Legacy of the Vikings." BBC News. BBC, 17 Nov. 2004. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Overview: The Vikings, 800 to 1066." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.
"Viking Homes." Viking Homes. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Viking Runestones." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Apr. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"What Happened to the Vikings?" BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.
"Vikings." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Apr. 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
MADE BY: LINDSEY BALKEMA