Over one hundred years ago a viking grave was discovered in Birka, Sweden. Along with the body in the grave was a sword and shield, a spear and axe, arrows, two horses and a strategy board showing the person was a military leader who planned battles.
The grave has been called "the ultimate warrior viking grave" by historians and it was always assumed the viking was male.
But historian Anna Kjellstrom a historian from Stockholm University was studying the bones for another project and noticed the bones resembled those of a female. DNA tests were carried out and the conclusion was that the viking warrior was female.
Anna wrote; "The image of the male warrior was reinforced by research traditions and preconceptions. Hence the biological sex of the individual was taken for granted."
What do you see in the picture?
What do you think the story could be?
Explain the story
- What is your image of a viking warrior?
- Why did everyone always think this warrior was a man?
- What does this show about the way we often see male and female roles?
- What is a gender stereotype?
- Anna wrote, "the biological sex was taken for granted" what does she mean?
- How is this story an example of a gender stereotype?
- What does this story show about how some women were treated in viking times?
- What does this story show about ideas about history? (ideas can change)
- What can we learn from Anna Kjellstrom?
- What can we learn from this viking warrior?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?
"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools" by Andrew Moffat
"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat
No comments:
Post a Comment