Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – The Vikings were feared, hated and admired and their rich history goes far back in time. Vikings changed the history of Europe and their presence left a legacy in other parts of the world. How could they become so powerful and rich? How were they able to explore distant lands?
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We tend to associate Vikings with great names such as Ragnar Lodbrok, Ivar the Boneless, Erik the Red and mighty King Harald Hardrada, just to mention a few. However, before these men became famous and influential, there was the Bronze Age that shaped the Nordic civilization and laid the foundation for the Viking Age.
Historical Studies Show The First Viking Was A Bronze Age Man
The Bronze Age was a fascinating period in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. During this period Norse people engaged in trade with foreign cultures and sailed to unknown lands. Influential leaders held a high status in the society and pagan gods who many believed controlled the fate of humanity were worshipped.
Around 1,600 B.C., people in northern countries quickly acquired a prominent place in Europe thanks to their trade with copper, the first metal used by ancient man more than 10,000 years ago.
Nordic people traveled all the way to the Alps and Germany to acquire copper that they transported to England in exchange for other precious metals that could bring back to their countries.
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