In a study conducted by archaeologists from the University of Aberdeen, new evidence reveals that the Viking settlers in the Orkney Islands found “the plow was mightier than the sword”. Despite their notorious reputation as fierce raiders, these Norse colonists ultimately thrived through agriculture and settlement.

Published in the Journal of the North Atlantic, the research examined archaeological evidence from Viking cemeteries across Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland, and Greenland. The study aimed to gain a better understanding of Viking populations, their size, and composition. It uncovered surprising findings about the fertility rates and natural population increases among Viking communities in different regions.

The research team was particularly intrigued by the high fertility rates and natural population growth among Viking settlers in Scotland, especially in the Orkney Islands, compared to their counterparts in Greenland. The study suggests that these differences played a crucial role in the success and longevity of the Viking settlements.

Map of the Viking expansion
Map of the Viking expansion. Credit: Max Naylor / Rowanwindwhistler / Wikimedia Commons

Professor Marc Oxenham from the University of Aberdeen explained, The Norse encountered vastly different conditions upon settling in the diaspora. Scandinavians in Scotland and Ireland integrated into pre-existing communities, negotiating their place within them. In contrast, Iceland’s settlers occupied previously uninhabited land, while Greenland’s colonizers lived in isolated communities with minimal interaction with the island’s native inhabitants, facing harsh ecological conditions.

The research is part of a larger project funded by the British Academy titled Human Stress, Resilience, and Adaptation in Ancient Ireland and Scotland. This project explored the demographic differences among Viking settlements and their impact on population growth. The team investigated Viking fertility rates—the average number of births per woman—and population increase or decrease rates.

Their findings revealed a distinct demographic pattern in the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland, with a significantly higher proportion of children compared to other regions. This contrasted sharply with the demographic health of Viking settlements in Greenland, which struggled with poor conditions and were eventually abandoned in the 15th century.

Interestingly, the demographic health of Viking settlements in Greenland was relatively poor, Professor Oxenham noted. Greenland presented a challenging environment for subsistence, leading to the eventual abandonment of Viking settlements in the 15th century.

Daily life of the Vikings, in an issue of stamps from the Faroe Islands
Daily life of the Vikings, in an issue of stamps from the Faroe Islands. Credit: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

In contrast, the Viking communities in the Orkney Islands thrived. The researchers found that these communities enjoyed relatively high fertility rates and significant natural population growth. This success can be attributed to effective land management practices, including the use of seaweed and manure for fertilization and a greater emphasis on fishing. Additionally, evidence of positive Pictish-Viking relations likely contributed to the health and vibrancy of these communities.

Professor Oxenham highlighted the implications of these findings: The long history of effective land management in the Orkney Islands, combined with favorable environmental conditions and good relations with the indigenous Picts, contributed to a much healthier and more vibrant community.

Ultimately, the study concludes that the Vikings in the Orkney Islands discovered that the plow was indeed mightier than the sword. Their success in agriculture and settlement practices allowed them to build a thriving community, showcasing a side of Viking life often overshadowed by their raiding legacy.

SOURCES

University of Aberdeen

Britta J. Van Tiel, Clare McFadden, et al., A Comparative Study of Norse Palaeodemography in the North Atlantic. Journal of the North Atlantic, No. 45 (2024).

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