Evidence of Climate Disaster That Could Have Spawned the Ragnarök Myth

No, this is not out of the Marvel Cinematic or comic universe, but it does have fantastical qualities: archaeologists in Denmark have unearthed actual evidence of a climate disaster 1,500 years ago, that may have influenced the Norse myth of Ragnarök! The legend, first appearing in the Poetic Edda from the Icelandic Codex Regius, describes a series of events detailing catastrophic natural disasters, culminating in the submersion of Midgard and the deaths of gods such as Odin, Thor, and Loki.

Myth of Ragnarok: A Real Climate Catastrophe?

The Völuspá, one of the most primary sources for the study of Norse mythology, with Biblical level disaster-imagining, recounts the world’s creation, its end, and eventual rebirth. The research, published in the latest edition of Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, claims that the myth of Ragnarök may have been inspired by a real climate catastrophe that led to a population decline in Denmark around 1,500 years ago.

“Archaeobotanical and stable isotope analysis on plant remains from 39 sites spanning the Bronze, Iron, and Viking Ages in Denmark has been undertaken in order to investigate the development and resilience of agricultural practices, particularly through the 1250-year-long Iron Age (500 BC – AD 750),” write the authors of the study.

During the mid-6th century AD, two massive volcanic eruptions occurred on the American continent, releasing vast amounts of ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. This triggered a significant cooling of the Northern Hemisphere’s climate. Historical records from China describe this period as one where the sun appeared pale and cold, crops failed to ripen, and the stars were obscured for over a year due to volcanic particles lingering in the atmosphere.

Dendrochronology: What do the Trees Tell Us?

Researchers from the National Museum conducted a dendrochronological study (dating tree rings to the exact year they were formed in a tree) of Danish oak samples to analyze the impact of climate change on tree growth between 300 and 800 AD. These findings were cross-referenced with ice core data from Greenland, which track historical volcanic eruptions by measuring sulfuric acid deposits in precipitation.

Danish oak sample used in the dendrochronological study. (Jonas O. Jensen/Moesgaard Museum)

The study learnt that between 539 and 541, tree rings indicated a sharp decline in growth, pointing to a fairly significant global cooling event. This cooling likely led to shifts in land use, leading to certain areas being abandoned and reforesting. This climate shift could explain the wide-ranging societal changes observed in archaeological records, which include alterations in settlement patterns, reforestation, and shifts in ritual practices.

“When trees couldn’t grow, nothing could grow in the fields either. In a society where everyone depended on agriculture, this had catastrophic consequences. This is backed up by other studies we are working on. We see a sharp drop in grain production, areas abandoned by people, and forests expanding over the deserted fields.” explained Morten Fischer Mortensen in a press release by National Museum.

“In Norway and Sweden, researchers believe that up to half of the population died, and it’s not unthinkable that the same happened in Denmark. I shudder when I see these narrow rings, knowing how much sorrow, death, and disaster they represent.”

Archaeological evidence from this time also points to an increase in valuable items and hoard deposits across Denmark. These treasures may have been ritual offerings intended to coax back the sun, as the people likely feared they were experiencing the fabled Fimbulwinter—a long, harsh winter that precedes Ragnarök.Top of Form

The Danish Iron Age: The Period of Momentous Change

Bottom of FormDuring the Iron Age in Denmark (500 BC – 750 AD), the socio-economic and technological scene underwent momentous changes, propelled by climatic changes. The period saw shifts in power dynamics, the loss of trading and cultural connections due to the decline of the Roman Empire, and mass population migrations. The influence of global climate deterioration following major volcanic eruptions in 536/540 AD and the onset of the Late Antique Little Ice Age played a crucial role in this, reports The Heritage Daily.

Settlement patterns during the early Iron Age reveal the emergence of larger, nucleated communities, with certain evidence pointing at a hierarchical social structure. The presence of fencing around individual farmsteads, however, indicates that certain production areas were likely still managed at the household level.

In the later Roman Iron Age, the economic focus shifted more toward cattle farming (from animal husbandry in the earlier half), a trend marked by an increase in stable sizes, which continued into the Germanic Iron Age (400-800 AD).

“The study teaches us more about the past, but perhaps also about the future. How did people react to catastrophes like this? Did it lead to war or major social changes, and how did they adapt and survive? We hope to learn more about this, as it’s also relevant today, when the climate is changing and we may need to adapt. We cannot predict when Earth will again be hit by a violent volcanic eruption or natural disaster,” concludes Mortensen.

Top image: An epic battle scene from Ragnarok, with gods and monsters clashing violently under a bloodred sky, AI generated.    Source: Nawarit/Adobe Stock

By Sahir Pandey