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Kvinnors roller i vikingatiden : utifrån exemplet Birka och skriftliga källor

Olofsson, Karolina Bruun (2006)
Archaeology
Abstract
This essay discusses the issue of the role of women and also whether they could obtain a strong social position during the Viking Age. Moreover, it does discuss the question of how frequent women were present in Viking Age scriptures, art and archaeological artefacts in comparison to our view of women and her position in the modern society. The archaeological material used is in majority that found in Birka, such as burial and habitational findings. These objects, as well as other comparable and similar findings from other places, when put together with written sources, show that women had different roles in the society. She was able to have a strong social role during the Viking Age not only because

of the status her family had but also... (More)
This essay discusses the issue of the role of women and also whether they could obtain a strong social position during the Viking Age. Moreover, it does discuss the question of how frequent women were present in Viking Age scriptures, art and archaeological artefacts in comparison to our view of women and her position in the modern society. The archaeological material used is in majority that found in Birka, such as burial and habitational findings. These objects, as well as other comparable and similar findings from other places, when put together with written sources, show that women had different roles in the society. She was able to have a strong social role during the Viking Age not only because

of the status her family had but also because of her own merit depending of her skills and ability.

The archaeological findings found in female graves and other findings in the area, suggest a specializing within both textile production and trade for the women. This does not mean that

all women began working in textile outside the home. Instead, most of this suggests that women in fact worked within their household to provide for the families? needs for textile and

food. If skilful in these matters she could expand the production as a profession. Women who worked and were skilful at this and earned a reputation were buried with the objects and tools

that earned her the reputation and honour whether it was within trade, textile, cooking or any other field of work. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Olofsson, Karolina Bruun
supervisor
organization
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Women, Viking Age, Birka, Objects, Status, Archaeology, Arkeologi
language
Swedish
id
1328296
date added to LUP
2006-01-23 00:00:00
date last changed
2006-01-23 00:00:00
@misc{1328296,
  abstract     = {{This essay discusses the issue of the role of women and also whether they could obtain a strong social position during the Viking Age. Moreover, it does discuss the question of how frequent women were present in Viking Age scriptures, art and archaeological artefacts in comparison to our view of women and her position in the modern society. The archaeological material used is in majority that found in Birka, such as burial and habitational findings. These objects, as well as other comparable and similar findings from other places, when put together with written sources, show that women had different roles in the society. She was able to have a strong social role during the Viking Age not only because

of the status her family had but also because of her own merit depending of her skills and ability.

The archaeological findings found in female graves and other findings in the area, suggest a specializing within both textile production and trade for the women. This does not mean that

all women began working in textile outside the home. Instead, most of this suggests that women in fact worked within their household to provide for the families? needs for textile and

food. If skilful in these matters she could expand the production as a profession. Women who worked and were skilful at this and earned a reputation were buried with the objects and tools

that earned her the reputation and honour whether it was within trade, textile, cooking or any other field of work.}},
  author       = {{Olofsson, Karolina Bruun}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Kvinnors roller i vikingatiden : utifrån exemplet Birka och skriftliga källor}},
  year         = {{2006}},
}