In today's bonus episode I interview historian and author Valur Gunnarsson about his first English book entitled "What If Vikings Had Conquered The World," which covers a great deal of Nordic history all the way from the Viking Age right through to modern Icelandic history.

I have read his book with great pleasure and so speaking from experience, when you read it yourself you may be forgiven if you are convinced by the alternative histories presented by Valur to the point that you believe they actually happened! This is because Valur writes with such precise detail and uses a methodology that he describes as "responsible alternative history writing," which uses precedents set in similar cases and real history to predict the outcome of alternative timelines. The scenarios he presents are very realistic but at the same time you find yourself engaged with his topics through his use of humour and his detailed analysis of the actual events that did take place, giving an overall enriched context and understanding of the history he details and how certain trajectories of various events may have been altered by even the slightest sliding-door moments.

We also speak about his latest book that focuses on the mystery surrounding the lost Norse colony in Greenland, first founded by Eirík the Red in 985 and then never heard of again after 1408. This book is available now and you can find it and his other works through his bio here: https://bokmenntir.is/bokmenntavefur/hofundar/valur-gunnarsson

Specifically, his book "What If Vikings Had Conquered The World" can be purchased through Salka here: https://www.salka.is/products/what-if-vikings-had-concuered-the-world?srsltid=AfmBOopjuOqTcs5_UD79hConI6gDVJWaamdGXIyc2GtzMFbbW2XaY51E

Valur is also a frequent podcast contributor and one of the original founders of The Reykjavik Grapevine Magazine, which you can find out more of here: https://grapevine.is

I also recommend listing to the Reykjavík Grapevine podcast, which you can download from anywhere you get podcasts or which you can watch on YouTube. In particular, I recommend watching Valur's episodes on the subject of his latest book, the lost Norse colony in Greenland, of which you can watch the first of four episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vonpXMUPBJ4&t=25s

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

You can find my novels on Amazon as paperbacks or e-books by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

My novels are also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

Thank you for listening!

This is the "official" end to Season 7 but find out what's in store for this podcast, even after this season comes to a close!

Also, how difficult is it to interpret a culture through the eyes of another culture that you yourself are also trying to interpret? Is Viking Story really the longest-running Viking-themed podcast of all time? (Spoiler: no). Plus much more in today's "official" final episode of the season!

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

You can find my novels on Amazon as paperbacks or e-books by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

My novels are also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

A heart-felt thank you to all of my Raiders for listening. Stay tuned for more!

What can material culture tell us about a past society? Can pottery speak towards one's culture and, if so, in what ways?

Today we discuss childhood archaeology with Dr. Steven Dorland from the Anthropology Department at Grand Valley State University. We also discuss Dr. Dorland's community-based project hosted by the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Mississaugas First Nation, where relationships are vital and co-groups of directors ensure that every decision made reflects the community's goals and interests, first and foremost.

Finally, we talk about pre-contact trade networks, past environmental conditions, and even some Viking talk sneaks its way into the mix at times! I really think you're going to enjoy this conversation... so let's get right to it!

For more information on the Mississaugas of the First Credit Nation please click here: https://mncfn.ca/about-mncfn/community-profile

Here is a link with some more background information about the community-based project that first started during COVID. One of the directors is Jordan Jamieson, who is also a musical artist who you can find on Spotify under his stage name "Mr. Sauga": https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&app=desktop&v=n_iFg__h8R4

A short promotional video talking about the field school we discuss in our interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=02Kf5d6f3qo

Dr. Steven Dorland speaking about his community-based learning and associated projects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=9ByuGdXSheM&t=7732s

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

You can find my novels on Amazon as paperbacks or e-books by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

My novels are also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

Thank you for listening!