Viking Cats: Uncovering the Viking Diaspora Through Feline DNA

It’s #caturday on Bluesky so I thought I’d contribute with a quick article on Viking cats.

The Viking Age (793–1066 CE) was a period marked by extensive maritime exploration, trade, and settlement, defined by the movement of people, goods, and cultural practices across vast territories. While much is known about Viking activities through archaeological evidence and historical records, recent research into the DNA of domestic cats provides a novel perspective. These studies reveal how cats, carried aboard Viking ships as pest controllers, were unwitting agents of Viking expansion. The genetic footprints of these feline companions further illuminate the extent and intricacies of Viking trade and settlement patterns, contributing a unique and (dare I say) cute dimension to the understanding of the Viking diaspora.

The Function and Symbolism of Cats in Viking Society

Cats played a critical role in Viking life, both practically and symbolically. On Viking ships and within settlements, cats were vital for controlling rodents, which threatened food supplies like grain and dried fish…