Where did the Vikings explore?
- The Vikings were great explorers and travellers. Viking ships reached Britain, France, Spain, Italy and North Africa.
- Traders made long journeys overland through Russia, reaching as far south as Constantinople in modern-day Turkey.
- Some merchants traveled further east to Baghdad in Iraq.
- A few daring explorers made voyages to Iceland and beyond, travelling across the Atlantic Ocean to North America.
- Explorer Leif Erikson traveled to Newfoundland in modern-day Canada. Eric the Red traveled to Greenland.
What did the Vikings buy and sell?
The Vikings bought goods and materials such as silver, silk, spices, wine, jewellery, glass and pottery.
They sold items like honey, tin, wheat, wool, wood, iron, fur, leather, fish and walrus ivory.
They used scales to weigh coins and get a fair deal.
How did they find their way?
The Vikings did not use maps. They sailed near the coast whenever possible, watching for landmarks.
Out of sight of land, they looked for the sun
West (towards the sunset) meant they were headed for England.
East (towards the sunrise) meant home to Denmark or Norway.
They used the stars to find their way at night.
They also knew a lot about winds and sea currents.
Watch: How did longships work?
Activities
Activity 1: Viking explorers
Click on each of the Vikings to find out how far they travelled and what they discovered.
Activity 2: Quiz – Viking traders and explorers
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