Comparative mythology is a field of study. Is is well known there are common Indo-European roots for many myths that are similar across a number of cultures and religions, including Norse one.
It’s obviously untrue given Alexander The Great and the peoples who traversed the Mediterranean, like the Phoenicians.
As for Northern Europe, I understand that a Buddha was dug up in a Swedish Viking era burial site.
My point been, some people travelled far for trading reasons.
Fascinating, it's the first time I've heard of this.
The Helgo Treasure: A Viking Age Buddha - http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/12/the-helgo-treasure-a-viki...
> A remarkable collection of religious items sourced from diverse lands was discovered during archaeological excavations on the Swedish island of Helgo.
> Discovered close together, these artefacts included a Buddha from the Indian sub-continent, an elaborate crozier-head from Ireland and a bronze ladle from North-Africa.
> ..[T]he most extraordinary find..was a small, bronze Buddha. This devotional figure dates from circa the 6th century AD and was probably made in Kashmir, on the Pakistan/India border.
> The Buddha has a silver urna on his forehead, symbolizing the third eye, while the ears have long lobes, the insignia of royalty. He sits in a meditative pose upon a double lotus throne, the latter representing purity. The Buddha probably arrived in Helgo via Swedish merchants whose eastern trade routes were concentrated along Russian rivers such as the Volga.