Agents of Death

Reassessing Social Agency and Gendered Narratives of Human Sacrifice in the Viking Age

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6044404
AutoresMelanie Moen (0000-0001-6922-8247, University of Oslo, autor correspondente), M J Walsh (0000-0003-0151-4655, University of Oslo)
Ano2021
Volume31
Fascículo4
Páginas597-611
Data de publicação2021-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCambridge Archaeological Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0959-7743 • E-ISSN: 1474-0540
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0959774321000111
OpenAlexW3157675088
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas6
Referências citadas38

This article seeks to approach the famous tenth-century account of the burial of a chieftain of the Rus, narrated by the Arab traveller Ibn Fadlan, in a new light. Placing focus on how gendered expectations have coloured the interpretation and subsequent archaeological use of this source, we argue that a new focus on the social agency of some of the central actors can open up alternative interpretations. Viewing the source in light of theories of human sacrifice in the Viking Age, we examine the promotion of culturally appropriate gendered roles, where women are often depicted as victims of male violence. In light of recent trends in theoretical approaches where gender is foregrounded, we perceive that a new focus on agency in such narratives can renew and rejuvenate important debates

Archaeology · Art · Human sacrifice · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Sacrifice · Social science · Sociology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Gender Studies · Historical and Archaeological Studies · History · Law · Medieval Literature and History · Philosophy