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The Vikings are often remembered for their ruthless raids and bloodthirsty conquests. Known for their brutal invasions, they ravaged Europe, spreading fear and sparking prayers for protection from their unrelenting attacks. Their pillaging and violence left scars, with many victims enduring unspeakable horrors.
Yet, beyond their ferocity, the Vikings were exceptional engineers. Their technological breakthroughs gave them a strategic advantage in warfare, trade, and exploration, allowing them to navigate vast oceans, treacherous seas, and even the winding rivers of Europe.
While many Viking innovations were designed for combat, others revolutionized the way they sailed and navigated the seas. Some inventions were tailored for surviving harsh terrains, ensuring they could travel through rugged, cold landscapes or set up camp in hostile environments. One invention even catered to their personal pride and vanity.
Each of these 10 Viking inventions and innovations offers a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of the Norsemen. Beyond their military might, piracy, and exceptional seamanship, they reveal a side of the medieval Scandinavian culture that has often been overlooked or forgotten.
10. Battle-Axe
In their early days, Viking battle-axes were simply tools for chopping wood. However, over time, these axes evolved into deadly weapons that set the Vikings apart from other medieval warriors. The blade grew larger and wider, and a hook was added to its lower edge. In combat, the hook could be used to trip an enemy or catch the edge of their shield. The axe handle also grew longer, giving Vikings the ability to strike from a safer distance.
These battle-axes were well-balanced and designed for ease of use, making them effective in both dealing blows and inflicting fatal injuries. While some Viking sagas depict axes being thrown in battle, this was a rare occurrence, more likely used as an act of vengeance than a regular tactic.
9. Comb
Most Viking innovations were tied to their fast-paced, hit-and-run military raids. These inventions were primarily focused on shipbuilding, warfare, camping, and other practical needs essential for their expeditions. Despite their notorious guerrilla tactics, the Vikings surprisingly took great pride in their appearance. As they set sail for plunder, they also carried combs crafted from deer antlers.
“You might think these combs were simple tools, but some were intricately decorated and were certainly built to last,” said archaeologist Steve Ashby. He went on to explain that the combs were made from the same durable materials as other specialized Viking tools, such as polishers, saws, and rasps.
Appearance held significant value for the Vikings, and grooming was a key part of their identity. “They took meticulous care with their looks, often carrying combs along with their swords and knives on their belts. In fact, many Vikings even took combs with them to the afterlife,” Ashby explained.
After the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, the tradition of comb-making faded in England. This decline might have been due to the introduction of the Forest Law or the rising cost of antlers. However, in Sweden, combs imported from Norway continued to be popular and in use.
8. Keel
Early Viking ships were inspired by Roman and Celtic designs, but these vessels were equipped with oars instead of paddles. In rough waters, these ships were prone to capsizing. They were also relatively slow, meaning that Viking expeditions were generally short and kept close to the coastlines.
The invention of the keel in the 8th century revolutionized Viking shipbuilding and navigation. The keel provided the necessary stability for Viking ships to become fully seaworthy. It also served as a foundation to secure the mast. With this innovation, the Vikings added massive sails, reaching up to 245 meters (800 ft), allowing them to rely less on oars and more on wind for propulsion.
Thanks to the keel, the Vikings were no longer restricted to coastal voyages. They could now transport cargo, including food, timber, and animals
7. Longboat
The Viking longboat was a true engineering masterpiece, unmatched in the medieval world. Its versatile and durable design gave the Vikings a significant edge in warfare, trade, and exploration. These ships could sail in multiple directions, depending on the wind, giving them unmatched maneuverability.
Dr. William Short, an expert in Viking history and culture, noted that the ships' shallow drafts allowed them to navigate in shallow waters. This made it possible for Vikings to sail up rivers and launch surprise attacks in places where people never expected a seafaring vessel. From Scandinavia, the Vikings traveled as far as Vinland (Newfoundland) in the west, Russia in the east, and parts of the Byzantine Empire (Turkey) in the southeast.
The Vikings further improved their longboats with the use of the beitass, a “spar that helped to brace the sail against strong winds,” which allowed them to tack effectively against changing winds. This made their longboats incredibly maneuverable and gave them an advantage over other ships of the time. Additionally, Viking vessels were known for their impressive flexibility.
As Short explains, “They weren’t tightly nailed together, [so] they could actually flex with the waves rather than enduring the full impact and risking damage.” This flexibility in their ship design was a key factor in enabling the Vikings to navigate the open seas, even in rough conditions.
6. Magnetic Compass
The Vikings used magnetite, also known as lodestone, which was plentiful in Scandinavia, to create one of the earliest magnetic compasses. The only other civilization to invent such a device were the Chinese, who may have even developed it prior to the Vikings.
It wasn’t until European traders came into contact with China that they were introduced to the magnetic compass. For five centuries, the Vikings held exclusive knowledge of the compass in Europe, keeping its existence a closely guarded secret. With this tool, the Vikings were able to navigate the Atlantic Ocean, even through dense fog.
While neither the Vikings nor most medieval sailors were able to accurately measure longitude, the Vikings were highly skilled at determining latitude. They understood that the Sun rose in the east and set in the west. They also knew that, “at noon, the Sun is due south, and during months when the Sun doesn’t dip below the horizon, the Sun’s position at midnight indicates due north.”
This knowledge enabled them to use their magnetic compasses effectively for navigation.
5. Shield
The Viking shield stood apart from other medieval shields in both design and function. Measuring 75–90 centimeters (30–35 inches) in diameter, it served as a defense in battle, but also as protection against wind and waves during sea voyages.
The shield’s flat face was crafted from seven or eight planks of fir, alder, or poplar wood. These materials were both lightweight and flexible. Rather than being directly joined, the planks were likely secured by other parts such as the handle and leather covering. It’s also possible that the Vikings used glue to hold the planks together.
The shield’s thin, flexible wood reduced the likelihood of it being split by an enemy’s weapons. The wood’s slight thickness absorbed the impact force, while its pliable fibers wrapped around the sword blades, trapping them and helping to deflect attacks.
Viking warriors formed tightly packed lines, overlapping their shields to create a formidable “shield wall” that protected them from enemy projectiles and kept their ranks secure from penetration.
4. Western-Style Skis
In their spare time, when not engaging in raids or battle, Vikings enjoyed skiing. While the Russians and Chinese may have invented skis before the Vikings, the Norsemen were the ones to introduce Western-style skiing. The term “ski” itself comes from the Old Norse word skio.
During the Middle Ages, skis were widely used by Scandinavian hunters, farmers, and warriors. In Norway, 18th-century soldiers engaged in competitive skiing events, while Swiss soldiers also trained and competed on skis in the 1700s. These events were rooted in Viking traditions of skiing for recreation and transportation purposes.
Even the Norse gods were depicted skiing and using snowshoes, as seen in illustrations of Skadi (goddess of bowhunting, skiing, winter, and mountains) and Ullr (god of snowshoes, hunting, the bow, and the shield).
3. Tent
The Viking tent was simple, practical, and ingeniously designed. Tent frames were uncovered in a buried ninth-century Viking ship at Gokstad in Sandar, Sandefjord, Vestfold, Norway.
Two crossed beams were inserted into the ends of a square wooden platform, and a pole was threaded through the top of each pair of beams. A rectangular piece of material, measuring 5 meters (17 ft) long by 4 meters (14 ft) wide, was then draped over the pole and its ends fastened securely to the remaining two sides of the platform.
The 3-meter-tall (11 ft) tent could be assembled in minutes, offering its occupants dry shelter with a wooden floor. The tent's design also featured a decorative touch, with four dragon heads carved into the tops of the support beams, two of which faced one way while their counterparts gazed in the opposite direction.
2. Sunstone
A calcite crystal (also known as Icelandic spar) was discovered in the wreckage of the Elizabethan warship Alderney, which sank in 1592 near the Channel Islands.
The location of the crystal suggests it might have served as a navigational tool. While no complete calcite crystals have been discovered at Viking sites, a fragment of one was recently found at such a location. These two findings—the fragment and the Alderney crystal—provide the first evidence that the Vikings’ legendary sunstone could have existed.
Due to its unique shape, the crystal could double an image by bending or polarizing sunlight. By positioning the sunstone in such a way that the images aligned, a navigator could determine an east-west direction even in dense fog, cloudy skies, or after the Sun had set below the horizon.
When relying on a sunstone during weather conditions unsuitable for a sun compass, the Vikings might have unintentionally drifted north or south. However, when the next sunny day arrived, they could use their sun compass to realign their course. Together, these instruments allowed the Vikings to navigate through all weather conditions, whether favorable or unfavorable.
1. Sun Compass
The Vikings’ sun compass was a straightforward yet clever navigational tool that enabled them to travel vast distances. It consisted of a peg, known as the gnomon, which was placed through a hole in the center of a round plate made from wood or soapstone called the sun shadow board. The board was kept flat so that the gnomon remained upright.
As the gnomon cast a shadow across the board, the position of the shadow was noted, and the process was repeated hourly from dawn to dusk. Connecting the marked points formed a hyperbolic curve, the gnomon line, which was influenced by the ship’s latitude, the Sun’s height above the equator, and the height of the gnomon itself.
When navigating, the Vikings had to account for changes in the Sun’s position throughout the year. To counterbalance the effects of the ship’s pitch, the compass was kept afloat in a container of water, positioned above the ship’s deck.
