At a Glance
- A new study led by Greer Jarrett highlights the importance of smaller, overlooked Viking ports in understanding the expansive sailing networks of the Viking Age.
- By combining digital modeling, hands-on sailing, and reconstructed Viking boats, Jarrett traced historical routes and covered over 5,000 kilometers along the Norwegian coast.
- The research found that island and peninsula harbors offered ideal rest and resupply points, often proving more practical than major ports like Bergen and Trondheim.
- Experimental voyages revealed the physical demands of Viking sailing, including equipment failures and harsh weather, underscoring the importance of teamwork and preparation.
- These findings reshape our understanding of Viking maritime logistics and suggest that smaller ports were essential links in their broader trade and exploration networks.
A new study led by archaeologist Greer Jarrett from Lund University in Sweden has shed light on the vast sailing networks used by Vikings during the Viking Age, offering new insights into how the ancient seafarers navigated the waters. The research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, reveals the role of smaller, often overlooked ports in the Vikings’ trade routes. These findings are based on Jarrett’s hands-on experiments with Viking-style boats and interviews with local fishermen about traditional sailing routes.
The Viking Age, roughly from 800 to 1050 AD, is known for its extensive maritime trade and exploration, but the exact routes and ports used by the Vikings have remained a mystery. Using a method combining physical experimentation with digital models, Jarrett recreated voyages similar to those the Vikings might have taken along the Norwegian coast. His team used a square-rigged clinker boat, a design that closely resembles the boats used by the Vikings, and sailed over 5,000 kilometers along historical trade routes. The boats’ capabilities and challenges were key to understanding where Vikings might have stopped along their journeys.
Jarrett’s experiments revealed that smaller harbors located on islands and peninsulas, often farther from larger ports, were likely crucial to the Vikings’ seafaring operations. These “havens” were ideal for resting and refueling during long trips. The study found that while well-known ports like Bergen and Trondheim were important hubs, many smaller, decentralized ports likely played a significant role in the Vikings’ network. These smaller ports were easier to navigate with the shallow-draft boats used by Vikings, especially when navigating narrow fjords and avoiding tricky winds.
Jarrett’s work provides a better understanding of Viking trade routes and emphasizes the importance of teamwork and preparation. During one of his experimental voyages, the crew faced challenges such as a broken mast and unpredictable weather, mirroring the difficulties faced by ancient seafarers. These obstacles highlight the resilience required for long-distance voyages and the crucial role of cooperative crews in Viking expeditions. With these new insights, the study opens doors for further exploration of the Viking Age’s maritime practices, offering a clearer picture of how these skilled sailors navigated their world.
References
- Lund University. (2025, May 21). Archaeologist sailing like a Viking makes unexpected discoveries. Phys.Org; Lund University. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-archaeologist-viking-unexpected-discoveries.html
- Jarrett, G. (2025). From the masthead to the map: An experimental and digital approach to viking age seafaring itineraries. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 32(3), 42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-025-09708-6
