1. Vikings
By: Katie Marquis 8E

2. misconceptions

3. Vikings wore horned helmets
The authentic Viking helmet, does not have horns. No Viking helmets represented horns however there were representations warriors wearing helmets with bird heads or snakes sticking out. The myth about horned helmets worn by Vikings remains unproven.

4. A Viking's preferred weapon was a massive double axe
Vikings did use axes in battle. However, they were of a very different type. They did not use a double-headed axe as one has ever been found from early medieval Europe. Viking axes were light and used with one hand. The most common weapons found on Viking sites were spears.

5. Vikings were unclean
In England, because of their custom of bathing every Saturday, Vikings had a reputation of excessive cleanness. During excavations of Viking sites, combs were among the most frequent objects found. Vikings used tweezers, razors and special “ear spoons” to keep their ears clean.
Ear spoon

6. Vikings had tresses
Men shaved the back half of their head entirely. On the front half of their head, the hair was left to grow long. There is no historical evidence of Vikings wearing tresses.

7. Vikings were not a nation, but groups of warriors and explorers.
Vikings were a nation
Vikings were not a nation, but groups of warriors and explorers.

8. Correct facts

9. Vikings buried their dead in boats
Vikings loved their boats—so much that it was a great honour to be berried in one. Distinguished raiders and prominent women were often laid to rest in ships, surrounded by weapons, valuable goods and sometimes even sacrificed slaves.

10. Vikings used a unique liquid to start fires.
Vikings had no worries about harnessing the power of one human waste product. They would collect a fungus called ‘touchwood’ from tree bark and boil it for several days in urine before pounding it. The sodium nitrate found in urine would allow the material to smoulder rather than burn, so Vikings could take fire with them on the go.
Touchwood fungus

11. Viking men spent most of their time farming
The majority of Viking men peacefully sowed barley, rye and oats. They also raised cattle, goats, pigs and sheep on their small farms, which typically made just enough food to support a family.

12. The London Bridge is falling down nursery rhyme
The nursery rhyme 'London Bridge is falling down' could be linked to a Viking named Olaf the Stout who fixed cables from longships to the bridge and pulled it into the Thames.

13. The Viking diet was good and varied, accounting for their height.
Food
The Viking diet was good and varied, accounting for their height.

14. Thankyou for watching this Vikings PowerPoint