In the Viking Age (roughly 793–1066 AD), the average life expectancy at birth was approximately 35 to 40 years, but this number is heavily skewed by high infant and childhood mortality rates. If a Viking survived the dangerous first ten years of life, their chances of reaching "old age" improved significantly. Research on skeletal remains suggests that adults who made it past their teens could reasonably expect to live into their 50s or 60s, provided they avoided the hazards of warfare, infectious diseases, and harsh winters. Nobility and those with better access to high-protein diets often lived longer; historical records mention leaders like Harald Fairhair living into their 80s. However, the physical toll of Viking life—including repetitive manual labor and dental issues from stone-ground grain—meant that even those who lived long often suffered from chronic joint pain and tooth loss. For the vast majority of the population, surviving to see a grandchild was a significant milestone that marked a person as a respected "elder" within their community.