1. Advances in shipbuilding and navigation

One of the most important innovations of the Vikings was their way of crossing the seas. The idea of ​​long shallow-hulled wooden boats and several rows of oars made the building lighter, faster, and more flexible. In addition, they had simple navigational tools such as solar compasses that allowed them to navigate great distances - so much so that they were on four continents at the same time, being considered the first global civilization in history.

Viking boat shape allowed for large navigations

2. Language

By engaging in major clashes with the English around AD 800, the Vikings also managed to merge some of their culture in the UK. The English and Nordic languages ​​were the ones that best presented a miscegenation that remains to this day. Numerous words that have been exported to other languages ​​originate during this battle period.

The Nordic language had a great influence on the English language.

3. Dublin

The capital of Ireland is one of Brazil's favorite destinations these days. And it couldn't be any different: the city is cute and very receptive. But did you know that it was up to the Vikings to create the first settlement that gave rise to what is today Dublin? The story, however, was a little cruel: at first, the city was one of the largest slave markets in all of Europe. Viking domination in the region lasted for 3 centuries, coming to an end in the year 1014.

Representation of Dublin at the time of its conquest by the Irish in 1014

4. Skis

The first skis date from the year 8000 BC in Russia, but the Vikings were given its widest use - so much so that the word originates from the ancient Nordic term "skío". These people used the object both as a means of transportation and leisure, something that remains to this day.

More than 1, 600-year-old wood skiing discovered in Norway

5. Combs

You might think the Vikings were dirty bugs, but that's a pretty wrong view. In fact, they had much more advanced personal hygiene than other peoples of Europe at the time. So much so that the popularization of the combs is credited to the Vikings, who did not live without the artifact. In addition, they had tweezers, razors and even ear spatulas to remove the accumulated wax.

The Vikings were so clean that they were often buried with their combs and other personal effects.

6. Novels

Much of what is known about Vikings is due to Icelandic scriptures from unknown authors. Though somewhat fanciful, these stories told a bit of life in the age of the Vikings' territorial expansion and were recognized as the first sagas or novels in history. The accounts mix reality and mythology, making success among lovers of god-dominated worlds.

Book excerpt with Icelandic stories

* Posted on 5/13/2016