UKTV - Viking Dead (2018)

Almost two millennia after the Viking's often-terrifying reign, the modern age is used to uncover their secrets. By investigating burial sites, we discover who the Norsemen really were, what the truth was about the raids and battles, and what every-day life in a Viking settlement entailed.

Part 1: The First Viking Raid on Lindisfarne
The First Viking Raid: Lindisfarne was a peaceful, holy island, until the Vikings arrived. Tim Sutherland joins archaeologists as they uncover the realities of the Viking raid.
In 793, Scandinavian sailors reached the island of Lindisfarne. They brutally plundered the monastery there and murdered the clergy. This raid is considered to be the beginning of the Viking Age. In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, written a century later, it is said that pagans murdered wildly and plundered without hindrance. Archaeologists want to substantiate the historical description of the catastrophe with material evidence and find ancient bones. The excavation team cleared the surface of stones and found various bone fragments and several skulls in a lower layer - almost everything was in disarray. But there were also finds of skeletons, which could indicate a Christian burial. Carbon dating shows that they come from the early Middle Ages and therefore fit into the Viking Age. Are these dead victims of the first raid on Lindisfarne?

Part 2: Viking Burial Ships of Estonia
The Viking Burial Ships of Estonia: Venture to Estonia, where the earliest known Vikings ships to have crossed the Baltic - as well as mass ship burials - have been uncovered.
Two buried Viking Age ships were uncovered at Salme, Estonia, between 2008 and 2012. Dated to around AD 750, these are the earliest known Viking ships to have crossed the Baltic. They contain the skeletons of men who apparently died violently. The finds suggest that they were warriors who were killed in battle and buried in a ship.How and why did 41 strong young men from Sweden die? When the ships were excavated, grave goods such as weapons, jewelry and bones from animal sacrifices were found. An alternative theory is that the dead were not warriors, but diplomats on a peaceful mission. What does Tim make of the new theory? What can the bones of the dead men tell us?

Part 3: The Lost Viking Fleet of Roskilde
In the middle of the 20th century, archaeologists made a spectacular discovery: During excavations off Denmark, they discovered the wreckage of five Viking ships. At the end of the 11th century, the Vikings built a system of barriers in the Danish Roskilde Fjord to protect their trading post. Ships that they deliberately sunk served as a blockade. The discoveries provide insight into Viking culture. The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark, houses the restored remains of five ships that were deliberately scuttled around 1070 AD. The Vikings wanted to block the shipping canal and protect the Viking town of Roskilde. An extraordinary 'lost' fleet of Viking ships are a treasure trove of information and insights into Viking life. The museum in Roskilde is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Denmark. As the discoveries were made, so did enthusiasm for the Vikings and their way of life. Nine more ships were discovered during the excavations. One of the ships is 30 meters long. The wood and craftsmanship are of the highest quality. Today, an exact reconstruction of this ship is back at sea under the name Havhingsten. The original ship had 60 rowing benches and was a typical princely longship. It was dated to around 1042 AD and, after years of restoration, was finally exhibited in the museum in Roskilde. The new discoveries inspire archaeologists, historians and the public alike to find out more about this era. Tim and the team join the quest to discover the very latest theories and findings.

Part 4: The Secret Viking Grave of Ridgeway Hill
A quarry full of decapitated skeletons, evidence of a mass execution. But who were the 54 dead? How did 54 Viking raiders meet their gruesome end here in the south of England? Archaeologists date the grave to around 1000 AD and want to prove that the victims were young Vikings who died violently. The English did not warmly welcome their Viking visitors. Conflict appears to have been common. There is dramatic evidence for this at several places in southern England, especially at a site called Ridgeway near Weymouth, Dorset. In the early Middle Ages, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings fought for control of the British Isles. The Scandinavians carried out raids and attacks more and more frequently. But soon that was not enough for them: they wanted power over the island. In the 9th century, the Vikings came to Britain heavily armed and spread fear and terror there. In order to conquer the island, large armies were assembled in Norway and Denmark. Investigations show that the dead in the mass grave were not locals, but almost certainly came from Scandinavia. Scientists believe that it was a group of raiders who encountered a superior Anglo-Saxon force. The Vikings were captured, executed and then taken to the quarry.

Part 5: Mysteries of the Oseberg
It is one of the most fascinating finds from the Viking Age. Archaeologists discovered a well-preserved Viking ship in a burial mound in Norway. Inside: two female skeletons. The ship and its treasures are remarkable. But what can be said about the identity of the dead? Were they a Queen and her daughter? Archaeologist Tim Sutherland is investigating this question and wants to find out whether the two women may have been victims of a bizarre ritual. Does the evidence point to a ritual sacrifice or a high-status funeral? The Vikings practiced various rituals in their time. Apparently, this also included a sacrificial cult in which not only animals but also people were sacrificed. The two dead women, however, pose more of a mystery. In addition to the skeletons, a variety of luxury goods were found in the grave, such as a fine red wool dress, a white linen veil and silk. DNA analysis shows that the older woman suffered from an illness that made her appear more masculine - perhaps she had a beard. A wooden carving on the ship depicts a woman with a beard - supposedly the image of a queen. Were two women from a high social class buried on the ship? How can their bones help Tim piece together the story? It's over to Tim to sift through the evidence and find out.

Part 6: Treasure of the Vikings
Treasure of the Vikings: The Viking Age saw major changes in the economy of Scandinavia. Tim Sutherland travels to Norway and Estonia to find out more about the bullion economy.
Plundering, raids and rich booty - this is what the Vikings are notorious for. Their precious treasures are evidence of journeys to distant lands where the warriors enriched themselves. For archaeologists, a newly discovered Viking treasure has more than just material value. They find traces of a past culture in it. Since there are no written sources from the Viking Age, they are trying to understand the world of the Vikings through their treasures. Why did the massive plundering take place in the first place? Why did the Vikings amass treasures? They were probably not after money, because it did not have the same importance as it does today.
In fact, they melted down many of the looted objects and made them into new objects. Archaeologists are particularly interested in two questions. Why did the Vikings leave the sarcophagus with the remains of Saint Cuthbert behind when they attacked Lindisfarne Monastery? And what about the extensive coin treasures that were buried under the floors of numerous houses?