Recent studies show that violence in the Viking societies of Norway and Denmark during their period was significantly different. Although it was long believed that both regions had similar levels of violence, studies combining archaeology and osteological analysis have revealed significant differences, especially in how violence and social hierarchies shaped daily life.

Norway: violence as a common occurrence
In Norway, according to the research results, as many as 33% of Viking Age skeletons showed signs of healed injuries, which clearly indicates that violence was not uncommon. Furthermore, 37% of the skeletons exhibit traces of fatal injuries, suggesting frequent and deadly use of weapons in interpersonal conflicts.

It is particularly interesting that weapons, especially swords, are often found alongside skeletons in Norwegian graves. Over 3,000 swords from the Late Iron Age and Viking period have been discovered in Norway, while only a few dozen have been found in Denmark. This finding suggests that weapons played a crucial role in the identity of Norwegian Vikings, highlighting their deep connection to violence.

Denmark: centralized violence and strict social hierarchies
In Denmark, the results painted a different picture. Danish society was more centralized with clearer hierarchies and stronger authority. Violence was more controlled and was often associated with executions carried out by the authorities. For example, the remains of skeletons in Denmark show fewer signs of weapon-related injuries, but decapitations were recorded, indicating systematic executions.

Only 6% of Danish Viking skeletons show signs of violent death, and most of these deaths come from official executions. Danish society also had fewer weapon-bearing graves compared to Norway. Instead of personal weapons, the social order in Denmark was maintained through political control, particularly visible in the construction of large fortifications during the reign of King Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century.

Reasons for the differences
The study suggests that the stricter social structure in Denmark reduced the frequency of violence, but at the same time centralized the use of force through official channels such as executions. In contrast, the decentralized society of Norway experienced more violence among individuals, which is clearly visible from the higher trauma rates in the skeletons.

Wider significance of the research
This research contributes to the growing body of work exploring how social structures influenced violence levels in historical societies. Similar patterns have been observed in other parts of the world, such as the Andes in South America and parts of North America, where less centralized societies also recorded higher rates of violence.

Jacobson hopes that this research will inspire the development of new explanatory models, especially in societies where written sources from the period are scarce or completely non-existent. The research was conducted by scientists from the University of Oslo, the German Archaeological Institute, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.