The Viking Age, generally dated c. 800–1050 AD, is the period when what was later to become the countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden first became an active part of Europe on a larger scale. Earlier, some Scandinavians probably took part in the great migrations, and Anglo-Saxons and other tribes, partly from southern Scandinavia, settled in England. These ventures are, however, less known from historical and archaeological sources. The Anglo-Saxon migration must have been dependent on ships of good quality, probably like those found at Nydam in Denmark. The huge ship buried at Sutton Hoo in the early 7th century is Norse in character, to judge from the remains, so shipbuilding in Anglo-Saxon England seems to develop along the same lines as in Scandinavia, or there may have been direct contact.

Most of our knowledge of the Viking Age is based on archaeology. Settlements have been excavated, giving information on housing, agriculture and daily life, and the pagan burial custom which included grave-goods as part of the funeral has given archaeologists a rich material.

The grave goods are our prime source for knowledge of Viking Age material culture. There seems to have been a firm belief that objects from daily life would be needed also in the afterlife. Male graves may contain weapons and tools for tilling the soil and working wood and metal, female ones jewellery, household equipment and tools for textile work. As will be described later, ships and boats may also be part of the grave-goods.