River Kings: A New History of the Vikings from Scandinavia to the Silk Roads

The history of the vikings is most often told from those that lost to them. From their perspective, the vikings were enormous, cultureless warriors who came, plundered and left. They tended to exaggerate the negative impact of the vikings, while minimizing the positives.

In this history, Cat Jarman focuses on archaeological research to shed new insights into viking history. Certain artifacts can be traced through their history. The analysis of human remains has helped show the close familial relationships. Carbon dating can be used to obtain dates. However, it must be adjusted for the preponderance of seafood in the viking diet. 

The Vikings had advanced maritime skills. They also had a culture at home and abroad. They had traveled extensively to the east and west. They were Vikings to the western Europeans and the Rus in the East. They also made appearances throughout the Muslim world. To both Christians and Muslims they were heathens. They may have engaged in female infanticide, human sacrifice and held people in slavery. They also appeared to have some strong female leaders and a strong appetite for silver. They knew were the wealthy monasteries were located and targeted them. They intermarried with various parties that they fought. There is still more that we don't know than we know about their history.