Viking Age

The settlement Birka, at the island Björkö was hugely important in the Viking Period, around 750 AD. It was a key site in the Viking trading network, the nearby island Adelsö was the royal residence (Hovgården). The amount of artefacts excavated since the 19th century, the density of population is striking and following the excavations, both islands are UNESCO world heritage since 1993. The area had massive influence on this part of Europe.

It was already known for a long time that near Hobro in Northern Jutland, Fyrkat was one of the sites where a Viking Age round fortress was situated. The site is strategillay located in a protected bay inside a fjord on the banks of a waterway that facilitated commercial exchange.

1997, Northeast Scotland saw the birth of a new archaeological open-air museum: Archaeolink. Goal is to interpret the Prehistory of NE Scotland via living history, craft/technology demonstrations and archaeological experimentation for the benefit of the general public, academia and the educational sector.

The area around Ribe, in South Jutland, plays an important role in Viking Age. Since about 1980, there have been major excavations, followed by setting up Ribe Vikingecenter. Ribe town museum is by the way a good combination visit.