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More than Magic? An Analysis of Miniature Swords and Spears from Viking Age Sweden

Reilly, Lauren LU (2025) ARKM21 20251
Archaeology
Abstract
Miniaturisation of weapons and other tools is a phenomenon seen throughout the Viking Age
in Scandinavia. Predominantly using the theory of semiotics, previous publications on
miniature weapons have reached similar conclusions as to the functions of these objects.
Three main interpretational threads can be seen repeated throughout the previous research;
miniature weapons as symbolic objects, miniature weapons as votive objects or miniature
weapons as magical protective amulets. While these conclusions are certainly plausible, the
use of similar theoretical frameworks has led to a narrow understanding of how these objects
may have been used. This thesis aims to expand upon the possible functions of miniature
weapons within Viking... (More)
Miniaturisation of weapons and other tools is a phenomenon seen throughout the Viking Age
in Scandinavia. Predominantly using the theory of semiotics, previous publications on
miniature weapons have reached similar conclusions as to the functions of these objects.
Three main interpretational threads can be seen repeated throughout the previous research;
miniature weapons as symbolic objects, miniature weapons as votive objects or miniature
weapons as magical protective amulets. While these conclusions are certainly plausible, the
use of similar theoretical frameworks has led to a narrow understanding of how these objects
may have been used. This thesis aims to expand upon the possible functions of miniature
weapons within Viking Age society through the use of the theories of object agency and
emotions and senses. A selection of sagas were used as analogy to further explore the
social-symbolic connotations of weapons within Viking society. A case study of miniature
swords and spears from the sites of Uppåkra and Birka was analysed using this theoretical
framework. The results of this study demonstrated that miniature weapons from these sites
could have had other functions beyond the symbolic or magical, namely as extensions of
identity, deeply intertwined with the user and as mnemonic tools used in a process of
enculturation. The miniature weapons, similar to their full-sized counterparts, were powerful
active agents with unique personalities and functions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Reilly, Lauren LU
supervisor
organization
course
ARKM21 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Object Agency, Emotions and Senses, Miniatures, Weapons, Sagas, Personhood, social-symbolic
language
English
id
9210979
date added to LUP
2025-09-09 14:29:39
date last changed
2025-09-09 14:29:39
@misc{9210979,
  abstract     = {{Miniaturisation of weapons and other tools is a phenomenon seen throughout the Viking Age
in Scandinavia. Predominantly using the theory of semiotics, previous publications on
miniature weapons have reached similar conclusions as to the functions of these objects.
Three main interpretational threads can be seen repeated throughout the previous research;
miniature weapons as symbolic objects, miniature weapons as votive objects or miniature
weapons as magical protective amulets. While these conclusions are certainly plausible, the
use of similar theoretical frameworks has led to a narrow understanding of how these objects
may have been used. This thesis aims to expand upon the possible functions of miniature
weapons within Viking Age society through the use of the theories of object agency and
emotions and senses. A selection of sagas were used as analogy to further explore the
social-symbolic connotations of weapons within Viking society. A case study of miniature
swords and spears from the sites of Uppåkra and Birka was analysed using this theoretical
framework. The results of this study demonstrated that miniature weapons from these sites
could have had other functions beyond the symbolic or magical, namely as extensions of
identity, deeply intertwined with the user and as mnemonic tools used in a process of
enculturation. The miniature weapons, similar to their full-sized counterparts, were powerful
active agents with unique personalities and functions.}},
  author       = {{Reilly, Lauren}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{More than Magic? An Analysis of Miniature Swords and Spears from Viking Age Sweden}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}