History of North America

How did the vikings make shelter?

Longhouses

The most common type of Viking shelter was the longhouse. Longhouses were long, narrow buildings that could house up to 100 people. They were made of wood and had a turf roof. The walls of the longhouse were made of logs that were stacked on top of each other. The roof was made of turf, which is a type of soil that is made up of grass and roots.

Grubenhäuser

Grubenhäuser were another type of Viking shelter. Grubenhäuser were semi-subterranean houses that were built by digging a hole in the ground and then covering the hole with a roof. The roof of a grubenhaus was usually made of wood or turf. Grubenhäuser were often used as winter shelters because they were warmer than longhouses.

Tents

Tents were also used by the Vikings, especially when they were traveling. Viking tents were made of animal skins or cloth. They were usually small and could only hold a few people. Tents were easy to set up and take down, which made them ideal for use on long journeys.

Other Shelters

In addition to longhouses, grubenhäuser, and tents, the Vikings also built other types of shelters, such as caves, dugouts, and sod houses. The type of shelter that the Vikings built depended on the climate, the terrain, and the availability of resources.