This toy duck, made out of carved antler, provides a way of connecting the Viking World to our own.  While it is easy to lose context in the pursuit of objective observation, a simple carved toy reminds us that the Norse were not exclusively defined by their exploits overseas; they had a domestic life as well.  Norse children played with toys just as children do today.

Also of interest is the location of the find.  The toy duck was found at Birka, Sweden, one of the few early Scandinavian trading centers large enough to be considered a town.¹  With a population of around 500, Birka was more than just a place for traders to meet.²  Indeed, the fact that this simple toy was found there suggests that entire families lived there.