Bethany Milburn

• BA (Hons) Archaeology
• Bound to the staff: An investigation of seiðr and Viking “witches” in the archaeological record of early medieval Scandinavia

The concept of seiðr refers to a form of shamanic ritual practice that was found in the Old Norse cultures across Scandinavia, performed predominantly by a völva, or seeress. This practice often involved the use of a divination or seiðr staff and has been regarded as a form of “textile” or “domestic” magic. The aim of this project is to examine the archaeological evidence for seiðr, in an attempt to understand the methods of practice, and the concept of the practitioners as early “witches”, including how they may have influenced the more “popular” image of witches we have had since the late medieval period. The investigation also involved desk-based research of the Old Norse sagas and texts.

Funding Source: Newcastle University

Project supervisor: Dr Ashley Coutu