A recent study from the National Museum of Denmark suggests that the Norse myth of Ragnarök may have been inspired by a climate event that occurred approximately 1,500 years ago. Published in the Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, the research indicates that a severe climate disaster may have prompted the creation of one of Norse mythology's legends.
In the year 536 CE, a series of volcanic eruptions in the Northern Hemisphere unleashed ash and sulfur gases into the atmosphere, enshrouding the globe in a veil that blocked sunlight. This phenomenon led to global cooling, devastating agriculture and populations across the world. This period is often recognized as one of the worst in human history due to the prolonged 'volcanic winter' that ensued.
To understand the impact of the climatic event on the Nordic region, researchers analyzed the annual rings in over 100 pieces of 6th-century Danish oak. Their findings demonstrated a severe impact on Denmark, especially during the summers between 539 and 541 CE, when the trees showed virtually no growth. This lack of growth is indicative of dramatically cooler climates that adversely affected growing conditions.
Morten Fischer Mortensen, the lead researcher at the National Museum of Denmark, noted the importance of these findings. "Many have speculated, but for the first time we can demonstrate that perhaps the greatest climatic disaster in the history of humanity affected Denmark catastrophically," he said, according to La Vanguardia.
The study suggests that the climate catastrophe may be linked to the Norse myth of Fimbulwinter, a premonitory event of Ragnarök. Fimbulwinter is described as a winter lasting three years without the arrival of a summer season. During this time, snow is said to blow from all directions, temperatures plummet, and famine and suffering spread across the land. Although it is not known for certain whether the description of Fimbulwinter has its roots in the 6th-century climatic disaster, the coincidence is striking.
Ragnarök, central to Norse mythology, is the apocalyptic tale where the gods meet their doom, and the world as it is known comes to an end. This myth tells the story of creation, destruction, and eventual rebirth. La Vanguardia explains that many religions and cultures have concepts of eventual planet-wide or cosmos-wide destruction, and the Norse belief in Ragnarök is a profound example of this narrative.
The researchers also discovered that during this period of climatic turmoil, there was an increase in valuable items and buried treasure deposits throughout Denmark. This suggests that local residents were engaging in propitiatory rituals, possibly sacrificing their most prized possessions in hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing back the sun. This interpretation aligns with the archaeological findings of several large gold treasures, such as the Gold Horns, the Vindelev treasure, and the Broholm treasure, which were buried during the climate catastrophe period.
Further supporting the connection between the climate event and societal changes, the study points out alterations in land use during this time. There was evidence of abandonment of cultivated land and reforestation, indicating shifts in how communities adapted to the harsh conditions. Scienze Notizie mentions that these changes correspond with the immense amounts of gold artifacts from the era, suggesting a direct link between environmental stress and cultural practices.
The devastation of the volcanic winter was not limited to the Nordic regions. People worldwide faced dire consequences: China experienced summer snowfall, the average temperature in Europe dropped by 2.5°C, and accounts of apocalyptic conditions were reported across the Eastern Roman Empire and China. As Scienze Notizie details, the widespread suffering and dramatic climate anomalies would have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the time.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.