Vikings were advanced Norse seafarers known for raiding but also massive trading, farming, and exploring, reaching North America around 1000 CE (Vinland) centuries before Columbus. They were surprisingly clean, used lye soap to bleach hair, wore simple helmets (no horns!), loved skiing, and had complex burial rites with ships, but most were farmers, not just warriors. They established vast trade routes to Russia and Constantinople, settled places like Iceland, Greenland, and Normandy, and left huge cultural impacts, influencing English words and establishing powerful settlements in Ireland.

Everyday Life & Culture
Hygiene: Vikings valued cleanliness, using tweezers, ear spoons, and strong lye soap for grooming and hair bleaching.
Fashion: Blonde hair was popular; men used soap to bleach their hair and possibly keep lice away.
Farming & Trade: Most were farmers; they were also skilled traders, crafting goods and establishing trade hubs from Russia to Constantinople.
Fire: They carried fire starters made from fungus (touchwood) dried in urine.
Skiing: Skiing was a common pastime for transport and recreation.

Exploration & Settlement
North America: They reached Newfoundland (Vinland) around 1000 CE, centuries before Columbus, but didn't stay long.
Vast Reach: Explored and settled lands from Canada to Russia, North Africa, and the Middle East. Normandy: "Vikings" (Norsemen) settled in France, giving rise to Normandy; they later invaded England (Danelaw).

Warfare & Death
Helmets: Horned helmets are a myth; battle helmets were simple.
Berserkers: Warriors who fought in bear or wolf skins, howling in battle.
Burials: High-status Vikings were buried in ships with treasures, sometimes burned at sea or covered in mounds.

Mythology & Beliefs
Gods:Worshipped gods like Odin and Thor; Saturday (Saturn's Day) is the only day not named after a Norse god.
Afterlife: Believed boats carried warriors to Valhalla; Valkyries chose half the fallen for Valhalla, the other half went to Freyja.