Life in a Viking camp
Rediscover the legend in this new exhibition.
In the 9th century, more than 1,000 years ago, fearsome warriors from the cold lands of northern Europe attacked England. The pagan raiders descended on poorly defended Christian monasteries (places where monks live) scattered around the coast, raiding, stealing and burning everything in their path
So, who were these ferocious northmen? They were the Vikings.
Historians had thought that the cruel attackers arrived in small groups. However, a recent archaeological investigation at Torksey, in Lincolnshire, has revealed that in the year 872, they arrived in a gigantic army, thousands strong. The army camped at Torksey, in Lincolnshire, and waited for the winter to pass so the invasion could begin. Now, a big new exhibition at the Yorkshire Museum is offering the chance to get a glimpse of what life might have been like in the camp, through virtual-reality (VR) technology.
The exhibition is called Viking: Rediscover the Legend and, in it, the museum is offering an up-close look at the reality of life as a Viking.
Drawing on discoveries made by archaeologists working alongside amateur metal detectorists brought in to help at the Torksey site, the exhibition offers a never-before-seen look at how the Vikings changed life in Britain.
The exhibition has been organised jointly with the British Museum, in London, and some of the Viking treasures from the British Museum collection will also be on display. Meanwhile, the VR tour of the camp will give an idea of how the objects were used, including a look at a group of Vikings playing an ancient board game called hnefatafl.
The exhibition is open now, and runs until 5 November before going on tour. To find out more, go to yorkshiremuseum.org.uk