Viking longhouse above Arctic Circle is protective half-buried dwelling

Three hundred kilometers north of the Polar Circle, on the Lofoten Island of Vestvågøya, a farmer discovered the remains of the largest Viking Era longhouse ever uncovered. Archaeologists later uncovered remains of boathouses used by Viking Era chieftans to build the boats that would take them all across Europe to sell their fish.
Abandoned around around 950 AD, today the reconstructed longhouse (the chieftain’s house) measures 83 meters (272 ft) long and 9.5 meters (31 ft) wide. Inside, the Lofotr Viking Museum hosts nightly Viking feasts and demonstrations of tools of the era: the vertical loom, a bowl lathe, a shaving horse for basket weaving and basic tools for natural tanning of leather.
The boathouses and Viking ships of the era have been reconstructed in accordance of the technology of the time: the iron nails that allowed for the building of “way bigger ships”. This allowed for a more flexible ship that would twist and turn in big waves and allowed for long distance travel (even to the Americas) reaching speeds of 20 knots with good weather using woolen sails and open hulls.
The Lofoten Islands were rich in marine life and during the winter months they caught abundant amounts of cod which they then dried naturally. Despite being located at he 68th parallel north, the same parallel as central Greenland or northern Alaska, thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate here is much milder.
With winter temperatures averaging around 0˚C and a near constant wind, these are ideal conditions for air drying fish without the need to smoke or salt it. This stockfish was then loaded onto ships and sailed to the rest of Europe.
- Lofotr Viking Museum: www.lofotr.no/...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@bengtriise6504]

Niiice,that's where I'm from😂 I've tared that roof as my first summer job(at 14). And later did the roof on the viking museum. Had my confirmation in the church right behind it.🎉

[@kirstendirksen]

How great you can be a part of all of this as a local. I'd imagine it was big news when the farmer discovered remains in 1981. Or maybe that was just confirmation of what everyone already suspected based on the mounds there.

[@Noah-u2z]

That is so cool! American guy here 27 from Georgia in the woods. Love history of all peoples and culture of theirs. Viking culture and lifestyle was so much more effort due to where they were located. Nonetheless they built some amazing wooden structures for their time. So cool!

[@upshiftgo]

Bro, honestly, you should make a channel about life up there just like your normal Vlogs or do whatever you want build stuff your job I would watch it and I think a lot of other people would because we’re intrigued

[@upshiftgo]

I already subbed I expect weekly videos 😂

[@fuddrucker74]

@bengtriise6504 what a fantastic story. Thank you for sharing.

[@lissanne9769]

This is a wonderful documentary on the long house. So well stated with a lot of history. The tools were amazing. The Vikings were clever people in design, skill and, cunning. Thank you so much, Kirsten and team for making this video.

[@kingcharming1]

My school class went there in the 7th grade! It was a amazing experience. The viking age looks pretty neat.

[@retro.x]

I am obsessed with your channel ❤ I just can’t get enough of all these unique and beautiful and just different kind of houses u get to explore and share with us!!!! You have the BEST job ever!!!!❤

[@nataliemcelhaney3802]

@@retro.x 100%

[@Staroy]

Because she made her own job, that is the ultimate self-realization

[@biankakoettlitz6979]

But you can visit the museum yourself and try a boat tour with a viking ship. Kroner er low, great exchange rates and the summers were awesome, very warm. BTW I visit Lofotr musuem several times already.

[@spencers-adventures]

Very interesting video. So crazy that they could make fabric back then that was 60 threads per cm! The bellows were very neat as well 👍

[@timothybmonahan]

Thank you for explaining the pre Viking culture and the different jobs necessary to make the community work. I truly enjoyed learning about the long house, the ships, the clothing, the food, all were wll explained and demonstrated in interesting ways.

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

Norse not viking culture. Viking was a profession aka piracy.

[@lydiarowe491]

The Vikings were innovative with wood animal skins and wool..making everyday useful items that made life comfortable..thanks for taking us to this long house ..❤

[@brendandbarry]

This is my favorite episode! What an amazing living museum.

[@ruelruelan]

love seeing some old timey interlacing techniques!

[@tonic8945]

I hate being pedantic but a longhouse isn't a roundhouse, the clue is in the shape, great vid 👍

[@lapsedluddite3381]

True, she did misspeak in the intro, but corrected in the rest of the video - no doubt it would have been exceptionally difficult to revisit the site and reshoot the intro once they were editing and noticed it. So, please don't be pedantic, rather accept that we are prone to making errors, and that is how we learn.

[@Rimrock300]

how long needs a house be to be named a longhouse? how long is a rope, and if not, is it round?

[@Hermanos22]

@@Rimrock300 your parents have failed you

[@josephhuth3714]

Another stunning video by the brilliant Kirsten Dirksen! Thank you so much for taking me on a visit to this beautiful part of Norway and for teaching me so much about its history. I am excited to share the video with my friend who lives in Norway.

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

This by far is one of my favorite stories that you've done. So educational and the cinematography of the landscapes was gorgeous. So hard to imagine traveling the oceans in those ships. Really great stuff you guys. I was riveted from start to finish.

[@Kagekozo]

I have been to Oslo long ago and visited Norsk Folkemuseum. I learned a lot about their history and how they lived in early days. Much respect to their way of living back then.

[@Bashfuldoc]

This was all fascinating! Thank you for patiently filming these processes; much appreciated.

[@KimchiYeo]

i love seeing how my ancestors may have lived, so inentive and creative with a solution for every issue they may encounter

[@rachel_v_k]

Oh! That's why they call it "tannin!" It makes sense. ❤

[@lapsedluddite3381]

Indeed, now we know why it's called tanning! I learned so much from this excellent video!

[@MrRebar15]

*Kirsten Dirksen* Bravo well done, thanks for taking the time to bring us along. GOD Bless.

[@drumttocs8]

Which one?

[@cmsmith3010]

Thank you Kirsten! Very interesting! Lots of great ideas for survival in a place with extremes of light and dark and long winters of bitter cold!

[@jas57264]

FASCINATING.....THANK YOU!!!

[@Dovid2000]

Excellent documentary! I watched from beginning to end! The cinematography is also beautiful. Such natural beauty in Norway!

[@Digitalhunny]

@8:24 would you look at that Viking with his earpods, instead of weapons?! Amazing!! 😂 Such _stunningly beautiful_ craftsmanship on everything they've recreated here. Makes you want to rethink our modern building practices of today. We could be doing better for ourselves & nature IF we simply looked to the past & upgraded & little bit along the way. Add in some solar panels, skylights at one end for a green house effect & poof! Year round food production on a very small personal sized scale. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful long form content. Not once have you been "skimpy" with the length. We can sit, with a cup of coffee (or tea, or water) & just enjoy learning about such uniquely different homes halfway around the world (for some of us).😊 Too many other channels _try_ & fail to cram all of this wondrous adventure, about _our_ human history, into an 8 to10 minute video. They suck the life & soul out of the entire experience. Nope *not* you, not here!😂 YOU have given us what we need, with this refreshing taken on educating us with your channel. Way to go team! Love what you're doing here, New sub! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@lapsedluddite3381]

This was brilliant! Thank you all for sharing this wonderful living museum with us!

[@SoCalFreelance]

The longhouse is stunning. Homesteaders should consider the design for a large warm cozy living space.

[@stephaniewilson3955]

This is not a round-house, which is round and found in England and Ireland.

[@OntarioBearHunter]

And scotland

[@diamondperidot]

That is why they said long house.

[@lapsedluddite3381]

@diamond peridot - in the introduction she said roundhouse twice.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@lapsedluddite3381 She sounds like an american. It could be the exclamation.

[@jenricardo9905]

And the Navajo round house.😊

[@judithbreastsler]

I drop everything when you drop a new video. Always inspiring and interesting.

[@creolelady182]

Interesting architecture. very interesting on how a people lived

[@BORDERSSAFARISTRAVEL]

WATCHING LIVE FROM KENYA 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@BallardBaller]

Full Viking garb, with ear buds... classic

[@lapsedluddite3381]

The Vikings were adept at adapting and using the innovations of the peoples they raided... 😄😄😄

[@ahkkariq7406]

Did you think they were real Vikings?

[@nikolascend]

I was there many years ago. One of the best places I've been. Felt raw and real and connected to so much beauty. I could live and work there.

[@goeddia223]

is tannin man single? Asking for a friend...

[@ello9967]

@@goeddia223 🤠👀

[@CjbrkBrooks]

He sounds French?

[@elainelear4982]

Very interesting video. Informative about Vikings.

[@MBMCincy63]

Oh! This is so great to be taken on a tour and have things explained so well! The reenactment is wonderful! You really did a great job with this one!

[@danagreen9264]

That was one of the best videos you’ve made I love your wide range of living alternatives ❤❤❤I’m hooked lol

[@VintageTexas59]

Great seeing my ancestors dwelling and living conditions again ! ☺

[@GrandmaBev64]

What an awesome place. "Longhouses" are in a lot of places. Here in the US, a lot got destroyed in the 1800's. It's beautiful! To call our ancestors "Primative" is so wrong. They were smart, advanced, and resourceful. Why people try to hide these things or destroy them before people could see them was wrong too. We "Found" (Founded) so many historical sites and claimed that they built the ancient buildings is not true history. Taking credit for structures that were already built happened across the world. I'm glad to see this reconstruction. Thank You for sharing with us. 😊

[@pappelg2639]

Great video and lovely lively "museum". Interesting to see the creative way the archeologists work.

[@ahkkariq7406]

Why do you write museum with an apostrophe? The Lofotr Viking Museum is actually a museum. In addition to reconstructing the longhouse whose remains were found on the site, there is a collection of objects excavated on the site and in nearby areas. Reconstructed objects are based on archaeological finds elsewhere in the country, and with their help they have recreated an authentic environment that is much more educational than just a collection of objects.

[@pappelg2639]

@@ahkkariq7406 Why do you assume I meant something negative? It is just different than any museum I have ever been too.

[@ahkkariq7406]

@@pappelg2639 When you use an apostrophe, you indicate that you are using a word that is not quite correct. In this case, the word museum is completely correct.

[@pappelg2639]

@@ahkkariq7406 Oh my god. Get a life man. A traditional museum is far more confined.

[@ahkkariq7406]

@@pappelg2639 Maybe you are the one who needs to get a life. At least you need to expand your horizon.

[@larrymcknight1933]

We have a similar dwelling in Newfoundland. The Vikings discovered North America before Columbus.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Yep, Leif “The Happy” about 1024 years ago.

[@thekentuckyan8088]

Exactly

[@tamaracain6980]

@@larrymcknight1933 How did they discover something that was already inhabited by people?

[@larrymcknight1933]

@@tamaracain6980 are you asking about Europeans discovering North America??

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

Lol you can’t “discover” a land already inhabited by millions of indigenous people since before the Last Ice Age. They didn’t “discover” America🤣🤣🤣 Nice try. Colonial mentality and an imperialistic mindset… sure they went and settled for a while before leaving for Iceland and Greenland as they couldn’t survive in “Vinland”. No one even cares about that here in Norway🤡

[@SaraBellum777]

Nice! Ever since we watched Vikings on Netflix, I’m IN LOVE with Viking architecture 🥰

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Be warned: all that has ever been found are the pole-holes! So, all you do see is a reconstruction of what might have been.

[@Dirt-Fermer]

@@TorchwoodPandP some paintings and stories give some more descriptions but ya, they built with natural resources and they decomposed

[@Staroy]

@@TorchwoodPandP Not really true. they extrapolated from other viking settlements all over Scandinavia. So they have a much better idea than just some holes

[@TorchwoodPandP]

@@Staroy okay. Thanks for the correction. I have yet to watch the show. Must admit I am highly sceptic.

[@beepboopbeepp]

@@TorchwoodPandP most ruins today that look nice are almost always rebuilt, ww1 and ww2 destroyed most of what ruins had been uncovered and was in good shape so most structures that are ancient and standing are not fully originals

[@eshqa]

Very very interesting and excellently filmed!! Thank you! 💖

[@artemalexandrovich6183]

Visited this museum many times when growing up in Lofoten. Very interesting place especially for those interested in history, archeology or architecture.

[@Edwin-pj7pt]

AWESOME !!!!

[@jeroberts7228]

Wow, this was fascinating - so much so, that the end of the video snuck up on me! What a fantastic place to visit, so much to see and learn about. I'm just in awe... By the way, Kirsten, your shirt was truly beautiful, it really caught my eye - it looked great on you. What an experience you and Nicholas must have had; I'm sure there was much more to your visit to the area that the two of you were able to see and enjoy, too. I know you both work hard, but you also get to see some amazing areas and places. Thanks for sharing this wonderful reconstruction and the talented folks who learn and share the old ways. 😊

[@JohnW-ey2xu]

Norway is probably the most physically beautiful country I have ever seen. Stunning.

[@asperFromTG]

@@JohnW-ey2xu After Italy.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Really wonderful film. Thank you for featuring the many aspects of this terrific living history site. While I live in Southern California, I have both Danish and Norwegian ancestry, and love history. What I find significant is how peoples all over the world had the same crafts necessary for day to day life, but accomplished them using different materials depending on where they lived. I was struck by the tanning process (tannins, duh...how did I never make the connection?) and similarities with the way Native American women of the Plains peoples processed the hides of bison/buffalo using salt and a concoction made of the chopped up brains of the animals. Long houses were common in the northern part of the East Coast as well. I do like to imagine what a meeting of Vikings and Native Americans might have been like. Those Viking boats look like so much fun!

[@idellekell]

Wow what an incredible place! Breathtaking!

[@TheTomdegreef58]

We visited this long house during our Hurtigruten journey in February this year. Beautiful

[@thinking6307]

AMAZING....absolutely glued to the screen and story line!! Know I can't possibly add to the other comments.

[@Alone-in-a-dessert]

This is one of my very favorite videos you both have done! It was amazing and the area is stunning. I want to live there. What a beautiful place to live. Not The Longhouse, but, just the area. I’m very interested in the basket making and the weaving. Wonderfully done. So much appreciated information. The people are very kind as well. Thank you so much for another treat for us.

[@bridgetoconnor7229]

Wonderful episode! So interesting! Thank you!

[@Turbine030]

I was there just a few days ago and it was really marvellous! If you are in the area, you should definetely visit!

[@richardengelhardt582]

Touristy, but very educational, accurate, and well-communicated interpretatioon. I only wish the boat were a more accurate full-scale reconstruction. And that the fire pit in the longhouse ran the entire length of the building, as original.

[@shortmeister4321]

This was such a treat to watch! Being a Viking was a full time job! Thank you so much.

[@96Caleb96]

It's crazy how similar the patterns and framing on the entrances is to a māori marae!

[@evenjohansen4584]

Shoutout to Jan for being a great guide, a multitalented guy, and showing you his boat! ^_^ It would have been nice with some footage from the forge, where the nails (and the tools meant for them) can be made! ;) -Even/Thryrik

[@BallardBaller]

You should do a episode of the Spiegel Tent at Bard Collage in NY, its a giant Yurt that becomes a space for lectures and dance parties during the summer months

[@susanwestern6434]

@@BallardBaller There are quite a few Spiegle Tents existing still. They were developed in Belgium, and have different names. There is one that travels around the UK called 'Le Salon Perdue' during the summer.

[@MatthewHarrisStudio]

Fantastic look at an amazing place! Well done again

[@Dani_Wunjo]

Having followed your channel for years, when I found this episode, I already knew it would be my favourite so far from just the title and picture :) I have seen/ experienced a smaller but also impressive example in Ribe Denmark. When watching, memories of the smell of the fireplace came back. My family tree goes back to Scandinavia and i feel much like some ancestors have been in such houses. The acoustics, the wood, the haptic of the natural things, the food, the high roof, the artworks, the dimmed light, the colours, the nature, weather and seasons around, crafting, sailing and how everything is arranged around this fireplace - everything together speaks to me in a special, familiar way. Seen much more architechture that had a kind of soul, but in these viking halls I feel at home the most. People just should start building houses like this again.

[@freedomdove]

Ah, the origins of veg-tanned leather. Nice work.

[@robertmoore1254]

Wow! Great job. What a fantastic topic. Educational documentary for sure.

[@TheOGAlaskajosh]

Here in Alaska, we have many times more people living above the Arctic Circle than in Norway. This is why so many fine Norwegian sportspeople come here to see the American Arctic for themselves. Blessings to the Norwegian people!

[@Crocophant572]

Almost half a million people live north of the polar circle in Norway. Only a tiny fraction of that live north of the polar circle in Alaska. There aren't even any settlements with more than 5000 inhabitants north of the polar circle in Alaska, while there are lots of them in Norway (and Russia). Anchorage is more than 5 degrees south of the polar circle, over 560 km/350 miles, so not even close. Please don't post false information.

[@TheOGAlaskajosh]

@@Crocophant572 Haha, you’re correct, of course. While I’m not too sure that your estimate of 500,000+ Norwegian people live above the Arctic Circle since the major cities of Bodø, Svolvær, Longyearbyen, Narvik, Tromsø, and Alta collectively have 175,250 Norwegians living there, it certainly is more than here in my home state of Alaska. You are also correct to exclude Anchorage from this kind of census, for the same reasons I also excluded mentioning Anchorage. That being said, I enjoy seeing my Norwegian family, and I also enjoy getting “a rise” out of them, as I seem to have done to you. Regardless, I wish blessings to the Norwegian people. Skøl!

[@kolbjrnalstad9069]

@@TheOGAlaskajosh ❣

[@elizabethcarrington5819]

Fascinating! Love these shows!😊

[@kurtremislettmyr7108]

I live close to Lofoten, but I've never been at this site. Thank you Kirsten.

[@SlothLinn]

Thank you for this video, it's very informative, and you can feel the love and passion everyone has for the subject!

[@BluDawg]

Thank You, loved this … so interesting. I’ve watched your channel for years and very much appreciate all your family’s works and creativity 🩵

[@RealSalica]

Thank you for that ! I didn't read about this discovery anywhere !

[@rebjorn79]

Excellent destination. My grandfather grew up on the Lofoten island of Skrova in the 1920s-30s. Pretty sure he was there also during the German occupation from 1940-1945. He used to tell stories about a rough life, times were difficult, fishermen routinely getting lost at sea, etc. But what a place!!

[@christinaelliott8565]

This is my most favorite subject for video that you have ever presented. Thank you!

[@mizfrenchtwist]

hello , so very interesting 😊😊😊😊. great share , thank you , for sharing🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰..................

[@drychaf]

This is a really well made documentary. Also, the guides are excellent. I passed this museum last year, but didn't have time to stop - there's so much to see on Lofoten's incredible islands, one of the planet's most beautiful regions. This has filled in a lot of information for me so... thanks! (Lofoten isn't further north than Alaska, by the way - even Nordkapp isn't as far north as Point Barrow.)

[@user-nw6rg8vx3b]

Any living structure placed 18" below the ground level will remain a constant temperature of 75°, no matter how cold or hot it is outside! Our Dad always did this! We never had to use electric air conditioners or heaters. We had fireplaces but only for asthetics! We suggest next time you build a house or barn, place it 18" below ground level! Your electric bill will be minimal!

[@bruanlokisson8615]

A great great grandfather from Valdres moved to Lofton, married my Great great Grandmother. They emigrated to Minnesota a few years after in 1850s. six of my great grandparents were Norwegian or Norwegian Saami.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Oh my. Thank you so very much for showing us this wonderful space. Love your channel. Such great content

[@Tyler-789]

I would love to live in a house like this. It’s so beautiful and unique!

[@krismaki757]

I really enjoyed this also, especially being of Norwegian heritage. Thank you.

[@fredsimmons2793]

This is a far cry from the marauding,berserker, Viking we are taught .This was outstanding Kirsten.I bet your blood drew you to this trip.

[@The_honoured]

Best Viking Documentary I have seen. Nice work!

[@michaelwoods8654]

The rooms were not constantly full of smoke. Lots of bad info from the "Norwegian" tour guide.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Fascinating! I have to visit that longhouse. I imagine how busy they were inside there during the winter; making clothing, sails, cooking. What a huge operation. I wonder what they did with people who got out of control. Maybe they had a "time out" room 😂

[@phoebeel]

Yeah I can only imagine! Being cooped up in a house in an endless winter and darkness must drive even the sanest people crazy at some point

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

If they got too much out of control they were declared outlaws and were as such “legal game” for everyone. Most outlaws chose to sail to Iceland or Greenland and live there.

[@Mamaculture]

Wow! I really enjoyed this one! Gosh I love your videos! Thanks!

[@user-nb4ex5zk3w]

They were the rocket scientists of their time. There are still fahrings or miniature versions of these boats rotting in boat sheds along fjords in Norway. They should be preserved.

[@GratefulThird]

This was so fascinating! Thank you.

[@susanwoosnam1697]

Wonderful; reminders of so much effort but beautiful, delicious and useful results; great to see recreated methods; lucky climate niche.

[@springbay1]

Loved the episode as the inspiration for your hunt to build the perfect cabin. On a side note, I would not be able to be a tour guide for a single day with all that out of sync rowing by the tourists of the viking ship 😅

[@lapsedluddite3381]

They were in no danger of making the rowing crew 😉😂 It would have taken a fierce coxswain to whip that lot into shape! (I don't think I could have handled those heavy, loose oars any better though)

[@brianruff1133]

Neat, it reminds me of the indigenous longhouse reproduction built in Ridgefield, Washington

[@meggmegg6656]

Thank you for the tour. Fascinating.

[@ruralangwin]

Amazing places you go!

[@Vidar.m]

My mother used to live in that area. Amazing lofoten !

[@GrandmaBev64]

Talk about happy cows!

[@bigsarge2085]

Awesome!

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

So fascinating. Thank you!

[@monteengel461]

My grandmother was born in Vesterålen, the next archipelago NE of the Lofotons. Northern Alaska is farther north than Norway except for Spitsbergen. I lived for 3 years in Barrow, AK

[@TealCheetah]

Loving all the people in historic garb!

[@robinharris4247]

what a beautiful place!!

[@Ursaminor31]

Incredible men to sail across the sea, super strong mentally physically spiritually to be capable

[@maebh123]

Hello from Ireland, very interesting crafts and artful labour,the scenery is amazing too.

[@marieleopold1625]

F A S C I N A T I N G !!! Thank-you!

[@4QWzbaxSzUAq9]

really enjoyed this video👍

[@KyBrancaccio]

Thank you for making these great videos!

[@Shaw.77]

Great video. That guide dude has some awesome hair. I like Viking history.

[@alfheimr9541]

"And then they stopped doing their viking stuff" heh heh, I like that phrase.I am from vesterålen and i think you made a really good documentary