Program Director Daniel did a thorough lecturing job, including the Viking Rus founding Russia and the travels of the eastern Vikings all the way south to Constantinople and their service in the Varangian Guard there. He alleges the occurrence of blondes among the Berbers of North Africa is evidence Vikings ranged that far to the southwest.
You get the feeling the Viking model was "We'll raid you if you appear weak or trade with you if you appear too strong to successfully raid." They kept slaves so capturing likely looking specimens was probably a priority.
Reading the diaries of the Arab diplomat who traveled to Scandinavia would be interesting. His name was something like "ibn Fadlun," I need to look him up.
Reading the diaries of the Arab diplomat who traveled to Scandinavia would be interesting. His name was something like "ibn Fadlun," I need to look him up.
The Norse were healthy big louts probably because their diets contained lots of fish protein. I so reason from the Kodiak grizzlies which are bigger than other brown bears because of all the salmon they eat.
This Monday morning about 9:30 we finally crossed the Arctic Circle headed south. We've been north of the Circle since our stop on the road north to Ivalo, that is, about 5 days. We are finally starting to see some trees, they are scarce north of here along the coast.
