Swedish researchers found a hidden array of health issues in Viking skulls. A team of archaeologists from the University of Gothenburg analyzed a set of skulls and detected signs of serious infections, including chronic sinus and ear infections.
The study examined 15 skulls from individuals who lived in Varnhem, a small Viking community in the Swedish province of Västergötland during the Viking era. The remains belonged to nine male and six female Vikings, all adults aged between 20 to 60 years at the time of their death. Utilizing modern X-ray techniques and computed tomography (CT) scans, the researchers revealed severe morbidity, including signs of chronic infections and skeletal damage.
"We found many signs of disease in these individuals. We do not know exactly why. Although we cannot study the damage in the soft tissue because it is no longer there, we can see the traces left on the skeletal structures," said Carolina Bertilsson, according to La Vanguardia. The CT scans generated 3D images that provided layer-by-layer information about bone abnormalities in the skulls, allowing the team to study in detail the various types of bone damage in different parts of the head.
Several individuals showed signs of having suffered infections of the nasal cavities (sinuses) or the ear, which left traces on the adjacent bone structures. The scans revealed signs of chronic ear infections in the Viking skulls, indicating that these ailments were more common than previously thought. Pathological bone growths were also observed, pointing toward infections and other conditions hidden for centuries.
The analysis confirmed the presence of dental caries, sinusitis, otitis, and infections such as periodontal diseases, which damage the soft tissue of the gums. Periapical destructions and remodeling of the head of the mandible were also noted. Signs of osteoarthritis were found in the skulls examined, according to La Vanguardia.
Beyond violent deaths in battle that may have taken them to Valhalla, the Vikings suffered countless serious diseases that caused them incessant pain, including debilitating osteoarthritis and rampant dental problems. These findings were previously reported in another article based on the analysis of a large number of teeth, according to Interesting Engineering.
"The results provide a greater understanding of the health and well-being of these people. We all know what it is to have pain somewhere; one can become quite desperate to get help. But at that time, they did not have the medical and dental care we have today, nor the type of pain relief and antibiotics. If you developed an infection, you could have it for a long time," Bertilsson added.
Computed tomography images helped avoid invasive methods that require the extraction of bones or other tissues for analysis. "In this way, we can keep the remains completely intact and still extract a large amount of information," Bertilsson said.
These were not isolated cases; every skull examined told a story of pain and suffering. The findings suggest that the Vikings endured a range of health issues, including oral and maxillofacial problems, nasal or ear infections, osteoarthritis, and more. This research provides a greater understanding of the daily challenges faced by Viking communities.
The Vikings were both feared raiders and ambitious explorers. They were highly skilled seafarers who traveled long distances using their distinctive longships, reaching far-flung locations like North America, the Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe. Their ability to navigate vast oceans is well-documented, but this new research reveals the personal struggles they faced with health and well-being.
In Varnhem, the community had abandoned the worship of pagan gods and built the oldest Christian church in Sweden along with a large cemetery, according to La Vanguardia. The examination of the skulls from this site offers invaluable insights into the lives of the Vikings, revealing that they battled not only external foes but also internal afflictions.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.