Story perspectives

Viking Pendants Reveal Surprising Gender and Cultural Insights

11/30/2025

Summary

Story summary

University of Leicester archaeologists studied ten Viking Age valkyrie pendants and found variations in manufacturing and usage.
Their analysis shows these pendants were not exclusively worn by females, as one pendant came from a male burial.
The team used microwear analysis and Reflectance Transformation Imaging to reveal diverse life histories for the objects.
The findings indicate a more complex cultural significance and warrant reevaluating their historical context.

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Story summary

University of Leicester archaeologists studied ten Viking Age valkyrie pendants and found variations in manufacturing and usage.
Their analysis shows these pendants were not exclusively worn by females, as one pendant came from a male burial.
The team used microwear analysis and Reflectance Transformation Imaging to reveal diverse life histories for the objects.
The findings indicate a more complex cultural significance and warrant reevaluating their historical context.