1.
This website is a companion Web site to a NOVA episode called "The Vikings," a documentary program that seeks to talk about Vikings as something other than barbarians. The website itself has a few different online resources to choose from, including a video of a model of a Viking village. Furthermore, other activities include writing your name in runes and reading various interviews and articles regarding Viking ships and culture. A map includes the various places that were settled by Vikings during the Diaspora. Various writers contribute to these activities and resources.
2.
Given the scientific resources that came to bear in creating the episode and the website, it is fair to say that the Viking resource website companion created here has accurate information. At the same time, the website attempts to remain objective; Dr. Fitzhugh's theories regarding the Vikings are always touted as theories that have not been proven, and not facts. While a vast majority of the content is meant to be an interactive activity to get younger audiences learning, this does not dilute the content in any way.
While this information is relatively accurate and objective, the facts are in no way recent discoveries - the website, and its accompanying episode, were made in 2000. As a result, any subsequent discoveries on the Vikings in the past decade have not been included here. It may also be somewhat inaccurate by now, as there is the potential for new findings disproving old theories held by the researchers and makers of this website. That being said, the website still attempts a fair amount of coverage - from learning the basics of their alphabet to seeing more about the entirety of the diaspora (and all the countries they traveled to), the website at least attempts to broadly cover the basics of Viking history and culture.
3.
All in all, I would recommend this site. Despite the dated nature of the information, the sources and personnel behind the website is reputable, and there are several directed activities and pages that talk about Viking culture in a unique and deep way. However, the only complaint that could really be leveled at the site from an information standpoint is the fact that it has not been updated since the airing of that episode. As a result, it is possible that some information could be newer. That being said, though, it is still useful as a beginner's introduction to Viking culture, as it focuses on the more majestic and romantic components of the culture. It is a decent springboard for further investigation.
4.
In case there are doubts as to the website's objectivity, they do link to several other sources in order to at least provide the audience with as wide a breadth of information as is possible. In the Resources section, the PBS website includes several other websites and resources full of other Viking information, including the Smithsonian Institution website, various books on the subject, and more. Useful links include: The Smithsonian Institution's Vikings Exhibit (http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings/), The World of the Vikings (http://www.pastforward.co.uk/vikings/) and Viking Heritage (http://viking.hgo.se/).
Works Cited
PBS. (2000). "NOVA Online - The Vikings." PBS.org. Web.
