Scientists proved that the Vikings not only fought well, but also built

Vikings seem to modern people as a warlike people who fought well and knew how to travel (according to some, they were the first Europeans in America long before Columbus). However, in constant trips to foreign lands for the purpose of raids, they could not boast of the development of their own culture and technology. This is a very unfair opinion, which confirms not only the rich cultural heritage of the harsh bearded northerners, but also their architecture. For example, the famous ring fortresses.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The first four ring-shaped fortresses were discovered in Denmark in the 1930s and even then astonished archaeologists with the subtlety and originality of the buildings. But researchers were worried about the location of these fortresses relative to each other: they clearly lacked a fifth "neighbor." And recently, Danish scientists really discovered another fortress called Borging. She was able to find using the latest technology and 3D-maps.

The fortress is located on the island of Zealand south of Copenhagen. It was built in the years 970-980 (that is, during the reign of the famous Scandinavian king Harald I Gormsson "Blue-tooth") in the form of an ideal ring with a diameter of 144 meters and has four main entrances. During the construction, the outer shaft of the fortress was laid with wood and covered with earth. This shape can be called ideal for the fortress due to the maximum area and the absence of angles.

However, apparently, the Vikings did not invent such a design, but spied it during the raids on Britain, where such fortresses were built a hundred years before Denmark. Nevertheless, the very fact of the construction of such a structure speaks of the outstanding engineering level of the local builders of that time.

Garrison or city?

The location of the fortress was not accidental. Important conditions were the availability of clean fresh water and road links. Fortresses were not only military garrisons: in peacetime ordinary life flowed here. At the same time, it is precisely Borging that can be called a city in the full sense of the word: the inhabitants did not leave the fortress for several generations, while the four other fortresses were deserted 20 years after the construction.

The fortress was left after an attack by enemies. Traces of fire on the gate, as well as tools thrown during the fire in the carpenter's workshop, speak of the attack. Historians are not sure who could attack the fortress, but they are inclined to believe that the Vikings were raiders, only from Sweden. In those years, there really were major battles between these tribes.

Archaeologists still have much to learn about the ancient Scandinavians. But one thing is for sure: despite the violent disposition, it was a fairly developed civilization.

Based on materials from Popmech.ru