An Analysis of Icelandic Pagan Rituals and Norse Mythology

• Main Author: Paulus, Emily
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing 2022
• Subjects: Iceland
• Online Access: https://pubs.lib.umn.edu/index.php/muraj/article/view/4512

Viking Age burials have been extensively studied over recent years, and Icelandic, pre-Christian burials have been specifically investigated for trends and patterns in funerary rites. However, there are hardly any investigations that pair the archaeological material and literary material together. What were the religious influences on funerary rites in the pre-Christian Icelandic landscape? An analysis of pagan rituals from Viking Age Iceland was conducted, and connections to Norse mythology were made in order to understand the relationship Icelanders had to the pagan religion. Based on archaeological and literary evidence, it can be concluded that certain burial rites bare resemblance to mythological stories and gods.