The Ancients Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age
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Nov 6, 2025 Professor Johan Ling, an expert in Nordic Bronze Age archaeology, unveils the rich maritime culture and intricate trade networks of proto-Viking societies. He discusses how they imported metals, crafted stunning rock art, and engaged in opportunistic raiding and trading. Ling explores elite kinship networks and the complex social structures that defined these ancient communities. Dive into the significance of the Trundholm Sun Chariot and the role of rock art in illustrating their beliefs, while uncovering how these societies paved the way for the Viking Age.
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Bronze Imports Drove Society
- The Nordic Bronze Age relied on large annual imports of copper and tin to sustain tools, weapons, and ornaments.
- Johan Ling shows imports likely totaled multiple tonnes yearly and shaped political and maritime organisation.
Maritime Elites Ran Metal Routes
- Long-distance sea voyages likely linked Scandinavian elites directly to metal sources and required specialised crews and boats.
- Ling argues the system mirrors later Viking-age maritime expeditions in organisation and purpose.
Elite Control And Unfree Labour
- Elites concentrated wealth flows through bottlenecks like boats and likely used unfree labour to maintain farms and crews.
- Ling links ornate graves and pit burials to social stratification and probable slavery.
