25 Viking objects from the Yorkshire Museum are to star in an exhibition at the brand new Moesgaard Museum in Denmark, opening to the public on October 11th.

The objects will feature in the exhibition, Seven Vikings, telling the tales and travelogues of seven Vikings from Aros in Denmark. In telling these stories, the connection with England – particularly York – is vital.

Natalie McCaul, curator of archaeology, said:

“York’s Viking heritage is of global importance. We are very excited to see the Yorkshire Museums’ collections being displayed on an international level.

“It is always interesting to meet, talk with and learn from international colleagues with similar collections about how they interpret their objects and tell stories for visitors too.”

The Moesgaard Museum is the first ever new-build cultural historical museum in the country and will be located in the hills of Skåde, giving visitors a view of AarhusBay.

The objects, including a hogback grave slab, antler combs, amber roughouts and jewellery, iron axeheads, bone ice skates, a pewter brooch and a selection of coins minted in York, will be on display for the next three years.

The Yorkshire Museum has an enviable collection of Viking treasures, many of which can still be found on display as part of the Capital of the North exhibition. This includes a gold armring, a grave slab depicting the legend of Sigurd and an incredibly rare silk hat from Iran.

York and its Viking heritage

As Royal Capital of the Danelaw, Jorvik was a political, religious and commercial centre of great importance.

The city’s role as a thriving economic hub is reflected in its industrial quarter, where excavations at Coppergate brought York’s Anglo-Scandinavian archaeology to the attention of the world.

The city’s unique soil conditions have preserved masses of amazing objects that simply do not survive from other Viking settlements. The vast majority of these finds relate to the everyday life of the people who lived and worked in Jorvik and its hinterland.

Many of the stunning works of art that form the highlights of this collection are world-renowned.  Other, less famous pieces are equally important as they reflect the daily lives, hopes, fears and aspirations of the regions’ Viking inhabitants.

There have been few finds, coin dies mainly, that reflect York’s role as the Royal Capital of the Danelaw and the wealth that came with this position.

YMT’s Viking collections also show the extent of the Viking world, and Jorvik’s place within that – amber from the Baltic and brooches depicting Jellinge style designs from Scandinavia found in York show how goods, people and ideas moved long distances during this period.