In recent years historians have established that slavery during the Viking era was far more common than once believed. And it is during this era that for the first time, Scandinavians made the capture and use of slaves a key part of their economy and military campaigns. In fact, some historians now argue that the Vikings were responsible for more human trafficking in the period 750-1050 C.E, than any other civilization. Although slavery existed in some form in Scandinavia long before the Viking era, it is during this period we see a sharp uptake in the number of slaves.