Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. # Longhouses During the Viking Age, most dwellings were **longhouses** (*langhús*). These were long, rectangular buildings used for living, working, and often housing livestock. Construction methods varied based on local resources: - In forested areas, **wood** was the primary building material. - Where wood was scarce, **stone** or **turf** was used instead. - Some longhouses had **stone base walls** for stability. - **Turf walls**—cut blocks of sod stacked like bricks—were common in treeless regions. - Roofs were sometimes made of turf, creating a **living grassy roof** that blended with the landscape. --- ## Size and Function Longhouses varied greatly in size: - **Small homes** might be around **15 feet wide and 50 feet long**. - **Wealthier families** might build longhouses up to **25 feet wide and 250 feet long**. These large dimensions were practical rather than luxurious. In addition to sheltering people, longhouses often **housed livestock indoors**, especially during winter. A walled-off section for animals was common, but in some homes, animals might roam freely through part of the structure. --- ## Interior Layout Most longhouses had a **single large room** with minimal internal walls. Features typically included: - A **long central firepit**, used for heat, cooking, and light. - **Benches** along the walls for sleeping and working. - **Movable tables** placed where needed. - Very few people had traditional beds—**furs and blankets** served as bedding. Larger homes might have **a few separate rooms**, but even in those cases, open space was the norm. --- ## Further Resources - [Hurstwic on Longhouses](http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/longhouse.htm) — Detailed reconstructions and cultural context - [Life in Norway: Viking Longhouses](http://www.lifeinnorway.net/viking-longhouses/) — A clear and concise overview - [Vikings History: Overview of Culture and History](https://www.historyonthenet.com/vikings-history-overview-culture-history-viking-age) — Broad cultural background useful for worldbuilding culture/longhouse.txt Last modified: 2025/06/21 19:03by Ron Helwig