Rebecca Wendelken, Retired Professor of History, Methodist University, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Volga to Vinland: Early medieval dress & textiles 9 November, 2024

Viking women have long been presented as a homogenous group that all dress alike. While some basic garments like the shift and overdress were similar, decoration, ornamentation, and ways of wearing them were often quite different. Determining which garments were worn and in what order is difficult, as burials in this region are badly degraded and even partial garments are rare. Jewelry and decoration often shifted as the body decayed. New discoveries are adding to our knowledge daily, but the picture remains incomplete. Rebecca Wendelken examines several regions, revealing potential major differences in women’s dress both in terms of clothing and jewelry. While interpretations of many finds are controversial, Professor Wendelken shines a little light into the picture through comparison of various regions and by examining some of the major interpretations.