What Was Viking Hygiene Like

The video explores Viking hygiene practices, revealing their emphasis on cleanliness and grooming, contrary to their fierce reputation. Vikings valued personal appearance, using tools like combs and razors. They bathed regularly, used saunas, and had communal latrines. Legal systems enforced hygiene, with severe penalties for causing disgrace. Despite some negative accounts, Vikings maintained daily hygiene routines, reflecting their cultural norms.

How did the Vikings' contemporaries generally perceive them?

• As peaceful and diplomatic

• As inhumane and fierce

• As technologically advanced

• As economically prosperous

What was a common Viking hair practice according to John of Wallingford?

• Dyeing their hair in bright colors

• Braiding their hair with beads

• Shaving their heads completely

• Combing their hair every day

What material were Viking combs typically made from?

• Glass

• Bone or antler

• Wood

• Plastic

What was the cultural significance of a Viking man's beard?

• It was a sign of wealth

• It indicated maturity and masculinity

• It was a symbol of rebellion

• It showed religious devotion

What was one purpose of Viking saunas and bathhouses?

• To store food and supplies

• To serve as religious temples

• To provide a place for political meetings

• To offer warmth and a chance to sweat

What did the Viking sagas suggest about their sanitation facilities?

• They had communal latrines

• They had individual bathrooms

• They had no sanitation facilities

• They used rivers for waste disposal

What were Viking longhouses typically made of?

• Clay and bamboo

• Metal and glass

• Wood with turf or straw roofs

• Stone and brick

What was the consequence of humiliating a fellow Viking according to early Icelandic laws?

• A fine

• Public apology

• Imprisonment

• Outlawry

What did the Havamal suggest about Viking clothing?

• It should be made of silk

• It should be practical and not a source of shame

• It should be worn only on special occasions

• It should be colorful and extravagant

What did the 10th-century Arab diplomat Ibn Fadlan criticize about Viking hygiene?

• Their use of perfumes

• Their communal washing practices

• Their use of forks

• Their lack of bathing after meals