Three Strange Skull Modifications Discovered in Viking Women

[Judi Lynn]

Arkeonews
1 April 2024

In recent years, research has provided evidence for permanent body modification in the Viking Age. The latest of these investigations focused on the discovery of three Viking Age women from the Baltic Sea island of Gotland who had their skulls lengthened. This investigation sheds light on the fascinating tradition of body modification prevalent among the Norse and Vikings.

The study, authored by Matthias Toplak and Lukas Kerk and published in the journal Current Swedish Archaeology, has identified around 130 individuals, mainly men, with horizontal grooves carved into their teeth, with a surprising concentration on Gotland.

Although there have been many interpretations of these dental changes, ranging from slave markings to symbols of warrior elites, the researchers suggest that on closer examination they may have served as identity markers within a closed group of traders.

Artificial cranial modifications in the Viking Age are so far known from just three female individuals from Gotland. Dating back to the latter part of the eleventh century, all three women were interred in different locations across Gotland. Their skull modifications gave them a unique and remarkable appearance, elongating their heads.

Further details are discerned in two of the cases: one woman passed away between the ages of 25 and 30, while the other was between 55 and 60 years old.

More:
https://arkeonews.net/three-strange-skull-modifications-discovered-in-viking-women/

[slightlv]

1. Skull mods have been traced to other disparate

Cultures as well. Interesting they've found it in the vikings. Most of what I've read have been about African cultures as well as Egyptian cultures. Lol... Some even point to it as proof ancient visitors from outer space influenced our cultures.

[rampartc]

3. throughout meso america as well.

i wonder if these modifications are deliberate, or as has been speculated about the incas, an unintended consequence of cradle boarding?

it is well known that the vikings had tattoos, at least in the movies, how about piervings?

[slightlv]

4. I don't believe, for the most part, that it's an unintended consequence.

There are evidently several different steps in the binding to get the skulls to elongate in the manner in which society sees as desirable. And it takes several years of doing this. I've heard it often linked to royalty or a higher echelon of respect in the society. My question would be why is that a sign of royalty or high station? But then you get to your comment... perhaps the first one was an unintended consequence.. born of high birth... and thereafter simply emulated? People are and always have been so strange, IMO. I do love the guy on Ancient Aliens saying it's in honor of the appearance of the ancient aliens. Hea.. we all have to have our guilty pleasures, right? The guy with the crazy hair is mine! (LOL)

[rampartc]

5. you made me think of the cats.

when it is raining too hard for the felines they sall start whining and stretching, to me, as if i can stop the rain.

it would not take much of a technological species to convince barely sentient apes that they were immortal and all powerful.

[jaxexpat]

2. Does this mean they're not to be called "squareheads" anymore?