Not only did Vikings have excellent hygiene, but they were pretty vain, too. Among northern European cultures, blonde hair was considered extremely attractive, so brunette Viking men would use lye to bleach their hair blonde. In some regions, they even bleached their beards, too.
What Colour hair did Vikings have?
Studies have found that some Vikings had naturally blonde hair. Those who were gifted with blonde hair were considered to be very attractive. The others who had darker hair color and wanted to change it would find innovative ways to change their hair color to blonde.
Did Vikings have blonde hair?
Genetic studies confirm that it is not true that all Vikings were blonde. There was a mix of blondes, redheads and dark-haired Vikings. However, it is true that blonde hair was considered particularly attractive, and many darker haired Vikings bleached their hair blonde using Lye soap.
Why are Scandinavians so blonde?
So over time, humans who were lighter-pigmented survived longer than those who were darker in the north. This also means their genes prevailed over dark ones, this is why many ethnic Scandinavians are blonde-haired or light-pigmented.
How do I know if I have Viking blood?
And experts say surnames can give you an indication of a possible Viking heritage in your family, with anything ending in ‘son’ or ‘sen’ likely to be a sign. Other surnames which could signal a Viking family history include ‘Roger/s’ and ‘Rogerson’ and ‘Rendall’.
What color were Vikings?
Red- or blonde-haired Vikings? Genetic research has shown that the Vikings in West Scandinavia, and therefore in Denmark, were mostly red-haired. However, in North Scandinavia, in the area around Stockholm, blonde hair was dominant.
Were Vikings clean or dirty?
With all the pillaging and murdering, the common perception is that Vikings were rugged, dirty and smelly, but actually Viking men were surprisingly clean. Not only did they bathe once a week, but tweezers, combs, ear cleaners and razors have been unearthed at Viking sites. 2.
Did Vikings file their teeth?
Viking warriors filed deep grooves in their teeth, and they probably had to smile broadly to show them off, according to new finds in four major Viking Age cemeteries in Sweden.