Life was hard for the Vikings, and not many people lived past the age of 40. They had only a few medicines, so disease claimed many lives.
Wars were common, and food was scarce in winter, so people often went hungry. The Scandinavian climate was cold and windy. The Vikings still managed to live productive lives – as skilled craftspeople, clever merchants, and hardworking farmers who produced enough food, clothing, and tools for their families. Let’s visit a Viking family now, hard at work, doing some of the many chores of the farm and household.