<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[R. D. Holmstedt]]></title><description><![CDATA[rdholmstedt]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:11:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.rdholmstedt.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Poetic Edda]]></title><description><![CDATA[“The old gods did not disappear. Their stories survived.” Overview The Poetic Edda is the modern name given to a collection of anonymous Old Norse poems preserving stories of gods, giants, heroes and the fate of the Norse mythological world. It is one of the most important surviving sources for our understanding of Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legend. Many of its best-known poems survive in an Icelandic medieval manuscript known as the Codex Regius, or Royal Book, written around 1270....]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/the-poetic-edda</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4b5da40e6d4656949d7365</guid><category><![CDATA[Norse Mythology]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:51:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_6f92ef8d5e6242a892dbca17264fe5c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_255,h_198,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Carta Marina]]></title><description><![CDATA[“A map of the North, drawn at the edge of knowledge.” Overview Published in Venice in 1539, the Carta Marina was created by Swedish clergyman and cartographer Olaus Magnus. It was one of the earliest detailed cartographic depictions of the Nordic countries and represented Scandinavia with remarkable geographical detail for its time. Yet the Carta Marina is far more than a map. Across its seas and landscapes are ships, animals, people, historical scenes and extraordinary marine creatures. Real...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/the-carta-marina</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4b5b4cfa58f0a255d6f9fc</guid><category><![CDATA[Maps & Documents]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:44:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_a5db49db432b4660aa1af86bac77eb70~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_519,h_385,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Elder Futhark]]></title><description><![CDATA[“Before words were printed on pages, they were carved into stone.” Overview The Elder Futhark is the earliest well-attested runic alphabet, consisting of 24 characters. Its name comes from the sounds represented by its first six runes: f, u, þ, a, r and k. It was used by Germanic peoples centuries before the Viking Age runic system known as the Younger Futhark became dominant in Scandinavia. Runic inscriptions survive on objects including weapons, brooches, tools, coins and other artefacts....]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/the-elder-futhark</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4a2ea40e6d4656949a7373</guid><category><![CDATA[Maps & Documents]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2026 10:18:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_b234983853a74935adcc929b7c6813c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_554,h_554,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oseberg Ship Burial]]></title><description><![CDATA["A Viking ship that carried its secrets for over a thousand years." Overview Discovered in Tønsberg in 1904, the Oseberg Ship is one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of the Viking Age. Buried beneath a large mound for over a thousand years, the beautifully preserved oak longship contained an extraordinary collection of artefacts and the remains of two high-status women. Today, the Oseberg Ship offers an unparalleled insight into Viking craftsmanship, burial traditions, and...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/oseberg-ship-burial</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43be0a3c06bdad54294f91</guid><category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:08:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_8c5bc04b988249be9605a4a00f5c2de2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_860,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jotunheimen National Park]]></title><description><![CDATA["Where legends rise above the clouds." Overview Nestled in the heart of Norway, Jotunheimen National Park is home to the country's highest mountains, vast glaciers, and some of Scandinavia's most breathtaking landscapes. Its name translates to "Home of the Giants," reflecting its deep connection to Norse mythology, where the mighty Jötnar were believed to dwell among these towering peaks. Today, Jotunheimen remains one of Norway's most iconic national parks, offering an unforgettable glimpse...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/jotunheimen-national-park</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43b9f2f5f406242729e10b</guid><category><![CDATA[Landscapes & Locations]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:54:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_98641bf5fb9b49e180613165a90fb5c9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Gamla Uppsala]]></title><description><![CDATA["The ancient heart of pagan Sweden." Overview Located just north of Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala was once the political, religious, and cultural centre of ancient Sweden. Renowned for its monumental royal burial mounds and deep connections to Norse mythology, it remains one of Scandinavia's most significant archaeological sites. For centuries, Gamla Uppsala served as a place of kings, ceremonies, and worship, preserving a legacy that continues to inspire historians, archaeologists, and storytellers...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/gamla-uppsala</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43b7db3c06bdad54293f65</guid><category><![CDATA[Ancient Sites]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:41:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_606e4b9c887641bab7793ec9b6d0b04e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_561,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tanum Rock Carvings]]></title><description><![CDATA["Messages carved into stone over three thousand years ago." Overview Located in Tanum Rock Carvings, the Tanum Rock Carvings are among Europe's most extraordinary collections of Bronze Age rock art. More than 3,000 years old, these engravings depict ships, people, animals, weapons, and ceremonial scenes, offering a remarkable glimpse into the beliefs and daily life of ancient Scandinavia. Today, the site is recognised as a Rock Carvings in Tanum UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains one of...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/tanum-rock-carvings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43b58e51416e35e785f600</guid><category><![CDATA[Ancient Sites]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:32:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_19f5626125214969b4e9d7f5db4b39c6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jelling Stones]]></title><description><![CDATA["The birthplace of Denmark, carved in stone." Overview Located in the village of Jelling Stones, the Jelling Stones are among Scandinavia's most significant Viking monuments. Raised during the 10th century by King Gorm the Old and his son Harald Bluetooth, they commemorate the birth of the Danish kingdom and mark Denmark's transition from Norse paganism to Christianity. Recognised as a Jelling Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site, the stones remain one of the finest surviving examples of...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/jelling-stones</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43b1fa51416e35e785ed9b</guid><category><![CDATA[Ancient Sites]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:22:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_17b2cb80e5d748c692dfe80325af254c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_400,h_320,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Birka]]></title><description><![CDATA["The birthplace of Viking trade and one of Scandinavia's greatest archaeological treasures." Overview Located on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, Birka was one of Scandinavia's earliest Viking trading towns. Founded during the eighth century, it quickly became a thriving centre of commerce, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange, connecting the Viking world with Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Today, Birka is recognised as one of Scandinavia's most significant archaeological sites and...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/birka</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43ae43de1908b1cec6f9c7</guid><category><![CDATA[Ancient Sites]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:01:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2d6680_c14c7f3f4f0d4ec986e56b59f3692e4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nidaros Cathedral]]></title><description><![CDATA["Where history, faith, and legend converge." Overview For nearly a thousand years, Nidaros Cathedral has stood at the heart of Trondheim as Norway's most important medieval cathedral. Built over the burial site of King Olav II—later known as Saint Olav—it became one of Northern Europe's greatest pilgrimage destinations. Today, its Gothic architecture, intricate stone carvings, and centuries of history continue to captivate visitors from around the world. Historical Background Construction...]]></description><link>https://www.rdholmstedt.com/post/nidaros-cathedral</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a43a7e1f5f406242729b707</guid><category><![CDATA[Ancient Sites]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:51:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_a28d8a21ef43457f8a206247b61d87cf~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>R.D. Holmstedt</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>