The majority of literature about the Viking period, based on artifacts
or written sources, covers battles, kings, chiefs and mercenaries,
long distance travel and colonization, trade, and settlement. Less is
said about the life of those that stayed at home or those that
immigrated into Scandinavia, whether voluntarily or by force. This
book uses results from the examination of a substantial corpus of
Swedish osteological material to discuss aspects of demography and
health in the Viking period – those which would have been visible
and recognizable in the faces or physical appearances of the
individuals concerned. It explores the effects of migration, from the
spread of new diseases such as leprosy to patterns of movement and
integration of immigrants into society. The skeletal material also
allows the study of levels of violence, attitudes towards disablement,
and the care provided by Viking communities. An overview of the
worldwide phenomenon of modified teeth also gives insight into the
practice of deliberate physical embellishment and body modification.
The interdisciplinary approach to questions regarding ordinary life
presented here will broaden the knowledge about society during the
Viking Age. The synthesis of the Swedish unburnt human skeletal
remains dated to the Viking age will be a valuable resource for future
research and provides an in-depth view on Viking age society.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781785709395
Publisert
2018
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxbow Books
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter