Unbounded: The multiplicity of bodies and beings in Viking worlds

The Vikings have been characterised as one of the most stereotyped past cultures. This article challenges static representations of Viking bodies by exploring their diverse and referential body-worlds. We propose a more dynamic view where Viking bodies could be fluid, unbounded, and entangled with human and non-human entities. Using a more-than-representational approach and concepts of body-worlding, we move beyond conventional categorisations and dichotomies to reveal the complex network of bodies and beings populating this period. Through three case studies – body modification, portrayals of differently-abled bodies, and multitemporal burial practices – we argue that Viking bodies encompassed unique ontologies that differ profoundly from modern perspectives and invite readers to rethink the Viking past on terms closer to its own.