Customer Reviews

Pagan Scandinavia (Ancient peoples and places)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this book, Prof. Davidson puts forth a tentative picture of the development of Scandinavian pagan religion, from neolithic through Viking times. She draws on a variety of disciplines from history of religions to archaeology and textual studies. The thesis is necessarily tentative as she reminds us in the introduction, and since she is attempting something somewhat new, the theoretical basis is somewhat shakey. Moreover, archaeology of the area has advanced considerably since the work was written and so much of the book, particularly regarding early material, must be considered somewhat dated.

Nonetheless, the book provides a wealth of information about religious objects from the stone age through the Viking ages. She discusses the artifacts in astounding detail, putting the pieces together into a picture which is, if not compelling, at least provocative. That this is a tentative picture, she never lets us forget (to her credit), and while I disagree with her on a number of points, she makes her points well.

At the end of the book is a large section of black and white plates, depicting various archaeological finds, from Tollund Man to various Thorr's Hammer pendents. This section of the book makes it particularly valuable as well.

On the whole, this goes in my "highly recommended" category.