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Pre-Christian Cult Sites

-is a research project on the pagan religion of the Iron Age and Viking period.
 

Up until a few decades ago the fascinating world of Norse mythology was only known about from the written sources of the Early Medieval period, and the religion’s actual relationship with the people was not understood.
 

Archaeological remains from several magnates’ residences include evidence of the late pre-Christian religion, in a period when Norse mythology’s pantheon takes shape and changes occur in the way the religion is practiced.
 

The project will bring us toward an understanding of the religion, including its rituals and characteristics.

 

New archaeological research has taken the first steps forward toward revealing what may be the physical manifestations of the pre-Christian cult. Indications from recent excavations supplemented by new interpretations of the functions of archaeological remains means that archaeology is close to identifying the pre-Christian cult buildings, structures and deposits.

The cult of the Vikings

The recent archaeological interpretations explain many of the perplexing descriptions of the pre-Christian Viking religion and its rituals in the old Norse sagas and Eddic poems, which were first written down in the Early Middle Ages. In these sacrificial activities are described collectively using the term blót. The archaeology can now add to our knowledge about the pagan scheme of things, which included blót (sacrifice), hørg / horgr (place of sacrifice/cult building) and hov (the hall).

The Norse gods

Which gods were offerings made to and where did this take place? On the website the various Norse gods will continuously be linked to the excavations.