FainaAgain

No, it's a serious question!

I read this on the US board, there is a place called "viking yurt" in Utah.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35165325

I thought that Mongols lived in yurts, not the northern people.

Where did the vikings live? On ships and in log houses?

Dutch

faina - it looks like it is just a high tech version of the Mongolian yurt. From their website:

"A Yurt is a "portable" structure much like those used by nomadic tribes in Mongolia over 2000 years ago. The domed, tent-like structure sits on top of a portable wooden frame to create an efficient shelter that is environmentally friendly. Despite their rustic appearance, today’s Yurts are quite high tech. Bubble wrap insulation developed by NASA provides warmth in winter and a cool feel in the summer. Seams are electronically welded using radio waves, which give the roof amazing strength and durability. Sturdy fir rafters and steel rivets support the cone-shaped top with a domed skylight at the apex. This overhead view and abundant natural light give the yurt an open, airy feel. A Yurt offers people an experience close to nature. You can hear the wind, see the snow, enjoy the outdoors, but it’s comfortable and warm when you’re inside. The Viking Yurt offers a much more sturdy and fancy version of a yurt….an experience guaranteed to create memories."

FainaAgain

Sorry I didn't read the description on the website, but the name "viking yurts" is misleading, don't you think?

WillTravel

Well, yes, it is misleading. But keep in mind that Vikings got around everywhere. That Russian or Sicilian or Libyan or maybe even Mongolian you see may be part-Viking.

nona1

One bunch of Vikings, instead of heading generally west/south like the rest, went off east and were known as the Rus. (Yep, think Russia, although it's pronounced more like Roo-s). They ended up through central Asia.

So maybe that is the influence on these 'yurts'.

Loveling

As vikings lived only a thousand years ago I don't think they've made much impact on the mongolian yurts (dates back to 3000 BC)

vikings lived in loghouses, timber or stonenorwegian reconstruction: http://www.bronseplassen.no/etegilde1.html

Momliz

I don't think Vikings were nomadic, while yurts are easily portable, for nomadic peoples.

Clifton

Yeah, I think the yurt (ger) is pretty much from the Mongol influences and still in use around Mongolia, Siberia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Been reading about that part of the world, dontcha know

Clifton

Oh, and don't be surprised either if a lot of those folks are as Mongol as Viking too. The Mongol empire stretched from Vietnam and China through Russia, the Middle East, parts of India and right into Romania and Hungary. Largest ever to exist.

RufusTFirefly

It's called the "Viking" Yurt because it's modeled on a Mongolian yurt--that's the "yurt" part; and the owners' last name is "Vik" and they provide a Scandinavian dining experience--that's the "Viking" part.