Viking Weights and Measures: Ancient Units Explained

In the realm of Norse history, Viking weights and measures hold an essential position, not just as tools of trade and taxation, but also as tangible links to a culture that is as captivating as it is enigmatic. Understanding these measurement units offers insights into Viking commerce, sustainability practices, and even their system of justice. Let's delve into the world of Viking weights and measures.

The Viking Age, spanning roughly the 8th to 11th centuries, was a period of extensive trade and exploration. As traders and raiders, Vikings encountered various civilizations, adopting and adapting measurement systems they found. Consequently, Viking weights and measures were not uniform but varied regionally, reflecting the diverse influences of the cultures they interacted with.

Viking Units of Weight

The most fundamental unit of weight in the Viking world was the pennyweight, which varied in value across Scandinavian regions. However, a common standard was established in the late Viking period, around 1,000 AD, where 24 pennyweights were equivalent to an ounce, and 16 ounces made a pound.

арабский Sweden, for instance, the pennyweight was known as an "ore" and weighed approximately 24 grains. In Denmark, the "penning" was used, with slightly different measurements. These regional variations led to some confusion in trade, highlighting the need for standardisation, which eventually emerged as Viking society centralised.

Pennyweight (ORE /Penning)

The pennyweight, or "ore" in Old Norse, was the smallest standard unit of weight. It was commonly used in daily transactions and for trading small items like jewelry or coins. A pennyweight roughly equalled the weight of one silver petty coin, hence the name.

In the Norwegian law codes, the pennyweight was used to measure silver fines and compensations. For example, the "Gulathingslov" set the fine for killing a slave at 15 "ores" of silver, emphasizing the importance of this unit in Viking legal systems.

Ounce (Mark)

The Viking ounce, or "mark," was roughly equivalent to 16 pennyweights or 480 grains. It was typically used for larger items, such as jewelry, furs, or traded goods. The ounce was also a significant unit in military service payments, where it was used to calculate the value of a warrior's equipment and provisions.

In somelaw codes, the ounce was used to set the value of a man's life. For instance, in the "Frostathing's Law," the wergild, or man-price, was set at 12 ounces of silver, indicating theoriof a human life in Viking society.

Viking Units of Length and Volume

Like their weight systems, Viking units of length and volume were not standardised but reflected regional diversity. Two common units were the "ell" for length and the "kju" for volume, both of which varied in size across Scandinavia.

To mitigate the confusion caused by these variations, dials and measures were used. These were portable scales or measuring devices that Viking traders and craftsmen carried to ensure fairness and accuracy in their transactions. Some archaeological finds, like the فكыта نفخיק axonal dial from Xu et al. (2021), provide valuable insights into these instruments.

Ell (Aln)

The ell, or "aln" in Old Norse, was a unit of length commonly used for measuring fabric, land, and even body size. It varied in length, but it was often about 1.83 meters (6 feet) long. The ell was also used as a unit of volume in some regions, where it was called an "ellkju" or "alnkju."

One interesting use of the ell was in the measurement of einherjar, the warriors in Valhalla, who were said to be twelve ells tall. This mythological reference underscores the cultural significance of the ell in Viking society.

Kju (Kettle / Tun)

The "kju," also known as "tun" in Denmark, was a unit of volume used primarily for liquids like ale, mead, or wine. Its size also varied, but a common measure was approximately 100 liters. In the "Skovransken Law," for example, a standard ale donation to the temple was set at six "kju."

The kju was often used as a unit of trade. In the "Eidsivatingslov" law code, tolls were set in terms of kju, indicating its importance in Viking commerce.

In the study of Viking weights and measures, we encounter not just the mechanics of trade and justice but a snapshot of Viking culture. From the pennyweight to the kju, these units reflect the Vikings' adaptability, their reliance on fairness, and their immersion in the larger world of medieval Europe and beyond. As we trace these measurement systems, we gain valuable insights into the complex, dynamic society that was Viking Age Scandinavia.