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Great article — thanks for sharing these insights on Viking height with clear sourcing and context. One thing I’d like to add is a distinction that often gets blurred in modern usage: the term "Viking" originally referred not to all Scandinavians, but specifically to those who went on raids — i.e., víkingr in Old Norse. So while your article understandably discusses general Scandinavian populations, it’s worth noting that those who actually "went viking" were likely not representative of the domestic population in physical stature or strength.

The raiders — the ones who left the strongest impression on the people they encountered — were probably the physically elite of Norse society. They would have been stronger, more muscular, and more combat-trained than the average farmer or artisan buried in places like Iceland or Denmark. Wielding heavy weapons like two-handed axes and rowing longships over open seas required significant strength and endurance. These men were likely selected for — or self-selected into — raiding because of their physical capabilities.

This might help explain the historical accounts and enduring cultural perception of Vikings as towering, fearsome warriors, even if average skeletal remains suggest otherwise. Those doing the raiding weren’t average — and the fear and awe they inspired shaped much of how they were remembered.

Again, great work — and thank you for sparking such an engaging conversation on this topic.

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