Source: Fortune
Summary
Archaeologists have discovered a massive Viking Age textile production site in Denmark, dating back over 1,000 years. The 100,000-square-meter site features an area for processing flax and over 80 pit houses. Experts believe the site was a major production center, with separate areas for production and crafts, and a single residential home. The discovery highlights the sophistication of Viking society and its extensive international trade network.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
The site’s size and organization suggest a well-planned production line, with a powerful individual overseeing resources and production. The discovery of silver coins, glass beads, and pottery indicates a thriving trade network. The site’s proximity to Aarhus, a center for royalty and international trade, adds to its significance. The Vikings’ reputation as “simple, uncivilized, barbaric hordes” is challenged by this discovery, which reveals a complex and organized society.
The Vikings’ textile production was no small-time operation.
Author: Evan Null
