New research shows that the Vikings traveled more than 6,000 kilometers to the Arctic to hunt for walrus. DNA analyses reveal that walrus ivory from Greenland was brought to Europe and probably as far as the Middle East via extensive trade networks.
New research from the University of Copenhagen shows that the Vikings travelled more than 6,000 kilometres to the Arctic to hunt for walrus. DNA analyses reveal that walrus ivory from Greenland was brought to Europe and probably as far as the Middle East via extensive trade networks.
In Medieval Europe and the Middle East, merchants from faraway places traded in rare, precious commodities. One of the most popular commodities was ivory, which came from places few could have imagined.
Because when the Crusades temporarily prevented trade in ivory from elephants, walrus ivory became a popular commodity, and seeing as walruses only live in icy-cold parts of the world, it must have been brought to European markets from faraway places.
Read more here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240930122949.htm
No responses yet