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Ring engraved with 'for Allah' found in a Viking grave, Sweden, dated mid-800s AD (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by PugJesus@lemmy.world to c/historyartifacts@lemmy.world

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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/engraved-ring-found-in-sweden-suggests-contact-between-viking-age-scandinavians-and-islamic-civilisation-10118283.html

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[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 32 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We have found Damascus steel in viking camps in Sweden, so it is quite possible that this ring was traded for, or looted.

Until we find conclusive proof of conversion to Islam, we should be very careful in reading further into this than simply being an interesting artifact.

[–] gazter@aussie.zone 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought it was pretty standard for people to travel around this far, especially the Vikings. They were sought after as mercenaries, afaik, and I imagine this sort of artifact could be part of a pay packet.

There's Viking graffiti in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, for example.

[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think that some people will connect the artifact to the current gang issues here in Sweden.

[–] GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That seems like a huge leap. As a non swede my first impression was that some viking probably "married" a pretty Muslim girl he came across doing what vikings purportedly did.

[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 year ago

Thats fair, as a Swede I have been used to people constantly taking shots at us lately about migration and gang crime