Small Figurine Reveals How A Viking’s Hair And Beard May Have Looked

Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – A small figurine discovered in Eastern Norway provides the most detailed depiction yet of a Viking’s hairstyle and distinctive beard from the era of Harald Bluetooth. Despite its mere three-centimeter height, the figurine is remarkably well-groomed, potentially offering the closest visual representation we have of a Norwegian man from a thousand years ago, assuming their self-portrayal is accurate.

Credit: Roberto Fortuna, the National Museum

The figurine was likely unearthed in 1796 and portrays the head and torso of a Viking with an astute expression and an elaborate hairstyle. This gaming piece was discovered in a burial mound at Fløgstad farm in Sørum village, situated approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Oslo. For over two centuries, it remained stored away in the archives of the Danish National Museum until it recently reemerged when curator Peter Pentz sought artifacts for a new Viking exhibition in Copenhagen.

“It’s exceptional that we have such a vivid depiction of a Viking, even a three-dimensional one. This is a miniature bust and as close as we will ever get to a portrait of Viking,” says Peter Pentz, who is a curator at the National Museum.

He noticed the little Viking in connection with the museum’s current exhibition about Viking Age seeresses, which the figurine is part of.

“When I came across him in one of our storage rooms a few years ago, I was really surprised – he just sat there, looking directly at me, and I had never before seen such a Viking, not in the many years I’ve been at the museum,”Pentz explains in a press release.

The figurine has become a focal point in ongoing research at the National Museum, which examines figurines and symbolism from the Viking Age. This study is featured in the journal Medieval Archaeology. Viking-Age art is typically recognized for its distinctive animal motifs and rarely depicts human figures, making this particular figurine noteworthy. It stands out because it not only represents a human figure but also conveys character and expression.

Additionally, Peter Pentz highlights that the detailed depiction of the man’s hairstyle offers valuable insights into Viking-Age grooming practices. Despite some damage to the figurine, its hairstyle can be identified as having a middle parting with a side wave that leaves one ear visible, while being cropped at the back. The figure also features a prominent moustache, along with a long braided goatee and sideburns.

“Hitherto, we haven’t had any detailed knowledge about Viking hairstyles, but here, we get all the details – even the little curl above the ear is marked. This is the first time we see a figure of a male Viking with his hair visible from all angles. It’s unique,” says Peter Pentz.

The recently discovered figurine, though new to our awareness, has a long history. It was one of the earliest items cataloged at the National Museum over 200 years ago, bearing the registration number 589 among approximately 2 million objects. These range from Stone Age axes and runestones to modern artifacts, such as contraceptive pills and face masks from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unearthed in 1797, this figurine was found in an equestrian burial site believed to belong to a Viking warrior near Viken by the Oslofjord. This burial dates back to the latter half of the 10th century during Harald Bluetooth’s reign, when Viken likely fell under his domain.

See also: More Archaeology News

Crafted from walrus ivory—a highly prized material during the Viking Age—the figurine is part of Hnefatafl, often referred to as Viking-Age chess. It represents the king, which is considered the most crucial piece in this game. Hnefatafl enjoyed popularity from the 8th through the 11th centuries and was introduced into England with Viking raids before eventually being replaced by chess.

Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer