viii Norse Mythology A to Z
can see in the ancient carvings , weaponry , and utensils that have been discovered in a variety of archaeological sites across Scandinavia . The mythology of these strong , lively people was rich , vigorous , and clever .
Norse mythology originated in Asia , according to experts . It was modified in the European Mediterranean lands , and eventually was carried north and west by migrating Germanic tribes , in the third to sixth centuries a . d . during the breakup of the Roman Empire — a time known as the Migration Period . The roaming tribes included Angles and Saxons , Goths , Visigoths and Ostrogoths , Alemanni , Vandals , Franks , and others . As the migrating tribes settled , the stories they brought with them began to change with the local geography , climate , and temperament of the people . Later , during the Viking Age , the Norse began to explore and populate countries from the British Isles and the rest of Europe to Iceland , North America , the Near East , Byzantium , and Russia , settling in the lands they conquered and taking with them , too , their myths and their culture .
The Norse myths were not written down , however , until the 13th century , by which time Christianity was established in northern Europe and had displaced paganism , that is , the worship and the myths of the ancient gods . Thus much of the ancient lore is lost to modern audiences . What remains is fragmented , incomplete , and often distorted by the pious Christian monks who edited the pagan tales as they transcribed them onto vellum and parchment for the first time . Although the Norse myths as we know them today are often confusing and contradictory , they still present us with wonderful tales about these northern people . The more you learn of them , the less confusing they become .
The flat rock of Vitlycke in Sweden depicts a large ship , some smaller boats , and a man with long arms . ( Photo by Fred J ./ Used under a Creative Commons license )