Regardless of how we imagine the Vikings, these astonishing relics shed light on a centuries-old civilization. Sometimes, the only word to be mustered is “whoa.”
1. 7th Century Sword

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
2. Axe Head, Circa 12th Century

Photo: Wolfgang Sauber / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
3. 1st Century Viking Swords

Photo: Wolfmann / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
4. 7th Century Helmet

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
5. Warrior Shield

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
6. Colored Glass Vase

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
7. Early-Medieval Viking Finger Ring

Photo: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 2.0
8. Viking Penny

Photo: Surrey County Council / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY 2.0
9. Colored Glass Bowl, Circa 7th Century

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
10. 1,000-Year-Old Sword Found By An 8-Year-Old Girl

Photo: Jönköping County Museum
11. 10th Century Viking Weapons

Photo: Simon Burchell / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
12. Horse Harness

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
13. Collapsible Scale And Weights

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
- 14. Leather And Metal Armor Pieces
Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
- 14. Leather And Metal Armor Pieces
15. Thor’s Hammer Pendant
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0
16. 10th Century Brooch
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0
17. Amber Beads
Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
18. Viking Buckle
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0
19. 9th Century Steel Sword
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0
20. Partially Reconstructed Chain Mail Shirt
Photo: Wolfmann / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
21. Silk With Silver Embroidery
Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
22. Molding Tools
Photo: Szilas / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
23. 9th Century Beads
Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0
24. Copper-Alloy Stud
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0
25. Lead Weight
Photo: The Portable Antiquities Scheme/ The Trustees of the British Museum / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 2.0