Birka’s warrior woman
This grave was found on Birka (Björko) in 1878. The grave contained human remains, remains from two horses, bowls, weaponry, a shield(boss), a chess game and saddle stirrups. The burial room was built in wood. Most likely the person was buried seated, with the bones collapsing on themselves. Some remains of textile were found.
The assumption that the person was a man was quickly made and the “high status burial of a Viking warrior” was often cited in research.
It would take until 2017 when both osteological and genetic testing proved the person was in fact a woman. To this day it is the only genetically and archaeologically proven female warrior from the Viking age.
The reason I say genetically AND archaeologically is because it is assumed that gender was a very loose concept in the Germanic age. Biological gender wasn’t necessarily denied, but there are indications that people would take on “the role” of the other gender. A woman could “step up” as a man’s son, as seen in blood feud tales where the patriarch is killed, but if there is no son to avenge him, a woman would “take up the role” and set out, armed for revenge.
Biologically male individuals have been found with “female” attributes such as beads, pendants and certain decoration styles.
From the limited amount of research there is, it seems possible that cross-dressing, gender fluidity and gender role exchange were very normal before mass christianization.
Excavated by: Hjalmar Stolpe
Found in: Birka, Björko, Ekerö - Sweden
Drawing by: Hjalmar Stolpe
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ᛚᛟᚷᚾ ᚺᚢᚷᚱ
(logn hugr - steady mind)
I deciced to get the same tattoo as Astreus from God of War. I absolutely adored gow 4, but gow Ragnarök made me love this character even more. One of the best games I’ve ever played.
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Under the Sign of the Black Mark (Bathory) cover art by Dávid Glomba
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We're down to the final stretch for the Kickstarter campaign! If you'd like to reserve your copy of the illuminated Beowulf book or any of the other rewards, please head over to the link below and lock yours in before Sunday noon.
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odin is an incel exposed
(Stanza 84 from Sayings of the High One in the Poetic Edda)
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"Hodr"
For more like this please visit my Etsy store :)
https://jessgoulder.etsy.com
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The Wiuwert treasure
The Wiuwert/Wieuwerd treasure or hoard was found in a terp in modern Frisia.
The hoard was found in a little ceramic jar and contained the footplate of a bow brooch, two disc brooches with cloisonné, two “kidney brooches”, two finger rings, three bracteates and pendants.
These pendants were coins turned into jewelry. Their origin came from all over; Constantinopel, Ravenna, Viviers, Arles, Marseille, Sevilla and Maastricht. They are dated from the 6th and 7th century. It is assumed that the other jewelry was made from melted coins. The find itself is dated around 630.
No human remains are associated with the hoard. Most likely they belonged either to a gold smith or a local leader.
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden - The Netherlands
Found in Wieuwerd, Frisia - The Netherlands
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Take my uQuiz and find out which Norse God you are 🛡️⚔️
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