Monday, September 15, 2014
A Viking Fortress Unearthed
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| Nanna Holm and fellow archaeologist Søren Sindbæk pose with what is believed to be the burned remains of one of the fortress' gates. |
I am a little obsessed when it comes to viking anything. I love their mythology and their culture they shared. People have a strong misconception when it comes to these "barbarians". They had laws and actually had a numerous amount of tools they used for personal hygiene. They simply weren't recognized as a civilized culture by the countries they raided (England, etc). Apparently they were not just skilled warriors but they were pretty amazing architects as well.
A 1,000 year old circular fortress, about 475 feet in diameter was unearthed in Denmark.
This fortress which is unique to the Danish country has a gate at each direction on the compass. I found this particular information to be especially intriguing.
I recently re-read "Eater's of the Dead," by Michael Crichton, and when I read this description of the fortress recently unearthed, I immediately thought of the passage when the main narrator, Ibn Fadlan was describing in his events with the North Men.
Ibn Fadlan's description of the encampment of Trelburg
"Trelburg lies at the joining point of two wyks, which then run to the sea. The main part of the town is encircled by a round earthwork wall, as tall as five men standing one atop the other. Above this earthen ring there stands a wooden fence for greater protection. Outside the earthen ring there is a ditch filled with water, the depth I do not know. These earthworks are excellently made, of a symmetry and quality to rival anything we know. And there is this further: on the landward side of the town, a second semicircle of high wall, and a second ditch beyond. The town itself lies within the inner ring, which is broken by four gates, facing the four corners of the earth." --- Ibn Fadlan
Eaters of the Dead is Michael Crichton’s 1976 version of a translation of Ibn Fadlan’s account of his experiences with the Vikings. Although the book is a work of fiction it is based on translations of Ibn Fadlan’s account. The first three chapters are completely based on these scholarly works, and the entire book is uniformly littered with anthropological explanations. (http://www.factbehindfiction.com/index_files/eatersofthedead.htm)
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Crichton then puts incorporates the manuscripts with a modern day "Beowulf" vibe.
I found this incredibly interesting that an actual fortress uncovered in Denmark, matches that observation of Ibn Fadlans account with the Northmen and one of the viking villages he arrives at.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves viking mythology and perhaps some truth behind the matter.
Crichton later produced/directed the movie "The 13th Warrior," starring Antonio Banderas, which was based upon his book eaters of the dead. I will say it does leave out quite a bit of the details and stories told in his book. However; I believe it is an excellent interpretation of "Beowulf."
