Decking the halls of history: The origins of Christmas decorations
This article was written by Anne Lawrence-Mathers, Professor in Medieval History, University of Reading. The idea of hanging up decorations in the middle of winter…
History
Denmark agrees to hand over medieval document to Bergen, Norway – but only on loan
For several years, people from Bergen have fought to be given a medieval document containing the first known imprint of Bergen’s city seal. Now, the…
Study reveals the Vikings were in North America 1,000 years ago
Vikings visited North America several centuries before Christopher Columbus, a new study states. This is the first time a specific year has been attached to…
Historian believes that the Holocaust in Norway started earlier than the Donau transport
The genocide of Jew people in Norway did not begin with the transport of the Donau in 1942, but with the confiscation of Jewish property,…
What does the word ‘Viking’ really mean?
This article was written by Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies, University of Nottingham. We all know about the Vikings. Those hairy warriors from Scandinavia…
How do modern-day witches mark Halloween?
This article was written by Helen A. Berger, Resident Scholar at Brandeis University and sociologist doing research on contemporary pagans for over 30 years. The original title…
Should gravesites be disturbed for the purpose of studying them?
Whether gravesites – and human remains in general – should be disturbed (even for research purposes), and how they should be handled, are questions increasingly…
The fiery history of Trondheim, Norway’s third-largest city
The story behind the Norwegian city of Trondheim spans centuries and tells a tale of kings, fires, and religion. Trondheim is Norway’s third-largest city, with…
Norwegian WWII memorial forest felled due to a misunderstanding
According to a commission, the protected forest surrounding the mass graves at Trandum in Norway was felled because those responsible did not understand that the…
Norway finally able to borrow important historical documents from Denmark
The National Library in Oslo will be finally able to borrow five valuable manuscripts – dated to Norway’s medieval period – from Denmark, after several…
Viking homes were stranger than fiction: portals to the dead, magical artifacts, and ‘slaves’
The author of this article is Marianne Hem Eriksen, Research Fellow, Marie Curie/Research Council of Norway, University of Cambridge. The Vikings are more popular than…
The house of Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein in Sogn, Norway is to be preserved
The house of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) in Luster municipality in Sogn, Norway is now protected by the National Heritage Board. In a steep…
The ultimate guide to exploring Norway’s Viking history
If you want to learn more about the ancient Vikings’ rich history while visiting Norway, read on for a personalized itinerary of can’t-miss spots. A…
The incredible story of Leif Eiriksson and his journey to North America
Adventures, explorations, and a dose of luck are just a few of the things comprising the fascinating life of one of the most famous Norsemen,…
Photos: Check out Norway’s Norse Atlantic Airways’ Viking-inspired branding
The new Norwegian airline proudly showcases its Scandinavian roots through its unique design, inspired by an ancient Norwegian Viking ship. Norway’s newest airline Norse Atlantic…
DNA from 10,000-year-old chewing gum reveals the secrets of Stone Age Scandinavians
The author of this article is Jan Hoole, Lecturer in Biology at Keele University. Chewing gum may seem like a modern habit but that’s apparently…
Norwegian Crown Prince received a “Haakon” gift at the National Archives
This week, Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon visited the National Archives of Norway to look at irreplaceable medieval documents. Here, he received a gift referring to…
Guide to the classics: the Icelandic saga
The author of this article is Margaret Clunies Ross, Emeritus Professor of English Language and Early English Literature at the University of Sydney. Iceland has…
Ancient DNA sheds light on the mysterious origins of the first Scandinavians
The author of this article is Jan Apel, Senior Lecturer of Archaeology at Lund University. Tracking the migration of humans isn’t easy, but genetics is…
Women used to dominate the beer industry – until the witch accusations started pouring in
This article was written by Laken Brooks, Doctoral Student of English at the University of Florida. What do witches have to do with your favorite…
