Sweden’s Viking Age population appears to have suffered from severe oral and maxillofacial diseases, sinus infections, ear ailments, osteoarthritis, and other conditions. This conclusion is drawn from research conducted at the University of Gothenburg, which involved examining Viking skulls using modern X-ray techniques.
About a year ago, a study was published that analyzed the teeth of the Viking Age population in Varnhem, located in Sweden’s province of Västergötland. Renowned for its numerous ancient graves and well-preserved skeletons, Varnhem has been a treasure trove for archaeological research.
Now, odontologists at the University of Gothenburg have expanded upon this earlier work by examining not just teeth but entire skulls through advanced computed tomography (CT) scans. The findings from these detailed image analyses are published in the British Dental Journal Open and reveal a broad spectrum of diseases among 15 individuals whose skeletons were examined.
The CT scans revealed abnormal bone growths in both crania and jawbones, indicative of infections and other health issues. Several skulls showed signs of sinus or ear infections that had left permanent marks on adjacent bones. Additionally, osteoarthritis and various dental diseases were also present. All the subjects studied were adults who lived between 20 to 60 years.
Carolina Bertilsson, an assistant researcher at the University of Gothenburg and a dentist within Sweden’s Public Dental Service led this study. It was carried out in collaboration with specialists in dental radiology from the same university as well as an archaeologist from Västergötlands Museum who contributed to conducting these examinations.
CT scans offer three-dimensional imagery, allowing researchers to examine skeletal damage layer by layer across various parts of the skull. While much attention was given to analyzing these images for evidence of diseases in bone structures, there is still uncertainty as to why these individuals suffered such health issues.
“The CT scans provide us with a wealth of information about how prevalent these diseases were during this time,” Bertilsson explains. “We can identify the physical markers left behind by infections and other ailments on bones even if soft tissues have decomposed over centuries.”
Understanding these health challenges sheds light on the wellbeing of Viking Age people, many of whom likely endured considerable pain without access to modern medical or dental care.
This study is considered a pilot effort, focusing primarily on testing CT as an effective method for future research. Traditional archaeological methods often require invasive procedures that involve removing bone or other tissues from remains for analysis. By contrast, the use of non-invasive technologies like CT scans preserves the integrity of skeletal findings while still providing valuable insights.
Carolina Bertilsson notes: “This approach allows us to learn more about these historical individuals without causing any damage to their invaluable remains.”
