Why Viking museums still can’t escape the warrior myth

Scandinavian museums are trying to move beyond the familiar image of Vikings as sword-wielding male warriors, highlighting women, farmers, traders, and a far more complicated society. But the enduring popularity of the Viking myth means exhibitions often balance historical accuracy with stories that reflect modern ideas about national identity and culture. Why Viking museums still can’t escape the warrior myth.

The National History Museum in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, houses a major permanent exhibition on Viking. The Swedish History Museum in Stockholm has the largest Viking Age exhibition in the world. And the new Norwegian Museum of the Viking Age in Oslo, set to open in 2027, promises to be the world’s leading Viking museum.

In the meantime, a temporary exhibition displays highlights of Viking Age archaeological finds at the Museum of Cultural History. Obviously, Scandinavian national museums expect that audiences, domestic and international, visit their museums to see objects from and hear stories about the Vikings. But there’s more to the national museums’ obsession with vikings than simply wanting to meet demand.