Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – Archaeologist Greer Jarrett from Lund University in Sweden has embarked on a fascinating journey, retracing the paths of the Vikings for three years. His groundbreaking research reveals that the Vikings ventured much farther from Scandinavia and navigated routes more distant from land than we ever imagined possible. In his latest study, he uncovers evidence of a decentralized network of ports on islands and peninsulas, which likely played a pivotal role in Viking trade and travel.
Credit: Lund University, MythologyArt – Public Domain – Image Compilation by AncientPages.com
In 2022, Jarrett’s team sailed an open, square-rigged clinker boat—reminiscent of those used during the Viking Age—from Trondheim to the Arctic Circle and back. Since then, they have covered over 5,000 kilometers along these ancient trade routes. This compelling research challenges our previous understanding by showing that Viking voyages extended far beyond what was once believed.
“I can show that this type of boat sails well on open water, in tough conditions. But navigating close to land and in the fjords sometimes presents challenges that are just as great, but not as obvious. Underwater currents and katabatic winds blowing down from mountain slopes, for example,” says Jarrett, a doctoral student in archaeology at Lund University.
Jarrett’s research trips have involved certain risks. For instance, when the yard supporting the mainsail broke off the coast of Norway, the crew had to devise alternative solutions to prevent a potentially distressing situation quickly.
“The cold in the Lofoten Islands was a challenge. Our hands really suffered. At that point I realised just how crucial it is to have a good crew,” says Greer Jarrett.
Credit: Lund University.
Jarrett has conducted thorough testing of the boat’s capabilities on open waters, specifically navigating both the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. Despite not having a deep-draught keel, Jarrett reports that the boats exhibit remarkable stability. To pinpoint specific Viking routes, Jarrett engaged with sailors and fishermen to gather insights about traditional routes used during the 19th and early 20th centuries—a time when sailing boats without engines were still prevalent in Norway.
“I used the experience of my own journeys and the sailors’ traditional knowledge to reconstruct possible Viking Age sailing routes.”
Not Only Maps And Compasses – Myths Also Helped Vikings To Find Lands
The Vikings navigated without the use of maps, compasses, or sextants. Instead, they relied on “mental maps,” which were shaped by their memories and experiences. Additionally, they utilized myths associated with various coastal landmarks to guide their journeys.
“Examples include Viking stories about the islands Torghatten, Hestmona and Skrova off the Norwegian coast. The stories serve to remind sailors of the dangers surrounding these places, or of their importance as navigation marks.”
Possible Viking Harbours Identified
In his latest publication, Jarrett has identified four potential Viking harbors along the Norwegian coast by combining direct experience with the characteristics of the boats and digital reconstructions of the Viking Age landscape. These locations, which Jarrett refers to as “havens,” are situated farther out to sea compared to the major ports and hubs known until now.
“With this type of boat, it has to be easy to get in and out of the harbour in all possible wind conditions. There must be several routes in and out. Shallow bays are not an issue because of the shallow draft of the boats. Getting far up the narrow fjords, however, is tricky. They are difficult to sail upwind with a square rig, and the boats are sensitive to katabatic winds.”
Jarrett’s hypothesis is that during the Viking Age, such small, easily accessible harbours abounded. Places where sailors could pause, rest, and meet other seafarers.
Credit: Lund University.
“A lot of the time, we only know about the starting and ending points of the trade that took place during the Viking Age. Major ports, such as Bergen and Trondheim in Norway, Ribe in Denmark, and Dublin in Ireland. The thing I am interested in is what happened on the journeys between these major trading centres. My hypothesis is that this decentralised network of ports, located on small islands and peninsulas, was central to making trade efficient during the Viking Age.”
Mast Fixed With Oars
Jarrett’s research trips have encountered some difficulties. During their return journey from Lofoten in May 2022, the yard, which supports the mainsail, broke while they were navigating through Vestfjorden. This incident occurred when the vessel was approximately 25 kilometers offshore.
See Also: More About Vikings
“On another trip, a minke whale suddenly surfaced and flapped its huge tail fin just metres from the boat.”
Jarret’s adventures have also highlighted how important relationships must have been during the Viking voyages.
“You need a boat that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions. But if you don’t have a crew that can cooperate and put up with each other for long periods, these journeys would probably be impossible,” Jarrett concludes in a press release.
The study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer