All About Viking Beads—A Timeless Accessory

Even as far back as the Viking Age (that's roughly 793-1066 AD if you're new here), women enjoyed a bit of bling! For Viking women, beads played a bigger role than just mere adornment; they held social, cultural, and sometimes even spiritual meaning! A close examination of what we know of Viking beads that have been uncovered in many burials across the UK and Europe offer us a window into the daily lives, status, and identities of the women within Viking communities.

A historically accurate reproduction of a typical Viking Age woman's smokkr dress, necklaces and brooches.

Types of beads worn by Viking women

The beads Viking women adorned themselves with were made from different materials. The most common types included:

• Glass beads: These were often brightly colored and imported from distant regions like the Byzantine Empire. Glass beads were prized for their vibrant hues and intricate designs.

• Amber beads: Amber was abundant in the Baltics and highly valued. It symbolized wealth and often was used as a ward of protection in pre-Christian times. Amber was a favorite among high status women.

• Metal foiled beads: Made from a glass core then wrapped with a thin layer of silver or gold, metal foil beads were less common, but like Amber, indicated higher social status.

• Stone beads: Occasionally, beads made from semi-precious stones like carnelian or jet were used. These materials were often imported and therefore signified higher status and wealth.

• Metal beads: Beads of silver filigree or coiled bronze were often used as spacers to highlight or arrange a longer strand.

• Wood beads: The budget alternative for lower status women, although sadly there are few to no existing examples due to the biodegradable nature of wood. It is believed, however, that wooden beads were often crafted from hard woods like yew, oak, boxwood and birch.

  
  

Beads were typically strung together to create necklaces, which were worn around the neck, or more often, suspended between the two large brooches women wore to secure their smokkr, or apron dresses.

Two 9th Century Viking Age tortoise brooches (likely copper alloy, bronze, or brass) with a selection of glass beads, from Room 41, Section 9 of the British Museum's Britain, Europe and Prehistory collections.

How do we know so much about Viking Age beads!?

Anywhere there were once Viking settlements, beads have been found. As the Viking Age progressed and Scandinavian influences were spread farther and farther throughout trade routes, beads followed, like a trail of shiny, colorful breadcrumbs. For those of you who are interested in a detailed look at the different phases of Viking Age trade and settlement and the impact it had on the later discovery of beads, this article by Matthew Delvaux (a PhD in history and archaeology), is a fascinating breakdown of the discovery of different types of beads against the historical backdrop of the events of the times. In fact, all of the archived posts on his blog are interesting if you're into the history of the Viking Age.

The social and cultural significance of beads

Beads were not just fashion accessories; they often carried deeper meanings in Viking society:

• Status symbols: The quantity and quality of beads indicated a woman’s social standing. Wealthier women wore elaborate bead necklaces with rare materials like silver or amber. Archaeological finds often include bead necklaces buried with women, suggesting their importance in both life and death.

• Identity markers: Certain bead patterns and colors could identify a woman’s regional origin or family ties.

• Protective charms: Some beads were believed to have magical or spiritual properties, offering protection against evil spirits or misfortune.

• Trade evidence: The presence of exotic beads shows the extensive trade networks Vikings engaged in, connecting Scandinavia with far-off lands.

Beads from the Stengade Gravesite in Langeland, Denmark, c. approximately 950-1000. These beads are thought to have belonged to a woman aged 40–50, who was buried at Langeland. You can find more information about this site, as well as many others at the Langeland Museum's online portal.

Craftsmanship and Bead-Making Techniques

Viking jewelry makers demonstrated impressive skill in creating and assembling beads. Glass beads were often made using winding or drawn techniques, producing small, uniform shapes. Amber beads were polished and sometimes carved to reveal their natural beauty, while metal beads were cast or hammered into shape.

Women often made their own bead strings, carefully selecting beads to match their clothing or occasion. Often beads would be gifted to women, much like modern charms are today. Over the course of a lifetime, a woman could grow quite the collection—each individual bead a small, elegnt reminder of a significant life milestone.

Whatever the reason a Viking Age woman might have worn specific beads, modern history buffs and crafters alike are fortunate for their enduring gift; Viking Age beads offer a tangible connection to the past and a glimpse into the lives of the women of the Viking Age.

Don't forget to sign up for the email list for more tasty little historical morsels, as well as discounts and advance/arc copies of new works. Book 2 of the Viking Age series Heart of the Wild Gods is on the way!