VALHALLA: Examining Viking Burials in the British Isles
The Isle of Man is known for its remarkable collection of Runic stones, crosses and grave-slabs from the 10th century, many of which mix pagan and Christian symbols. Best known is the cross which was raised by Thorwald. The stone depicts on one side a bearded human holding a spear downward at a wolf, his right food in his mouth and with a large bird at his shoulder. The carving has been interpreted as telling the story of the Norse god Odin, who with one of his ravens at his shoulder, is being devoured by the wolf Fenris during the events of Raganarok. Next to this image is a depiction of a large cross and another carving, which shows Christ Triumphing over Satan. A replica of the cross – which was found in the church of Andras at the Isle of Man – is the centrepiece of a new fascinating exhibition in York this summer called: Valhalla. The exhibition examines Viking Burials in the British Isles.
This stone is exhibited together with some very rare headstones and grave covers with Christian symbols from York Minster. The stones were found in situ above the actual burials, which they had commemorated, which is very rare. They are amongst the finest examples of Viking Age Sculpture in Britain.
Other showpieces are two Viking-age skeletons, which were found at Hungate in York and which have undergone new pathological research by York Osteoarchaeology. Studies of their teeth and bones have given information about their general health, wear and tear. In addition, the story of a Viking man buried in the Balladoole ship burial will be told. Using forensic science, researchers can tell he was a 45-year-old man who died in around 950 AD; and visitors can come face to face with this Balladoole Viking thanks to a state-of-the-art facial reconstruction.
Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions at York Archaeological Trust says: “This latest pathological research gives us clues about the lives that those people led. Combine this with osteological analysis, and we can tell the sex, age and height of a person, depending on how much of the skeleton was preserved in the ground. The research can also give us clues as to how that person may have died – whether from disease, injury or from natural causes. Looking at this evidence, alongside artefacts found throughout the British Isles, this helps us to tell a more accurate story of Viking Britain and our Viking ancestry”.
York Archaeological Trust’s Valhalla exhibition is the result of collaborations with York Minster and Manx National Heritage, bringing together key Viking burial findings and exploring the latest archaeological expertise
The Valhalla exhibition opens at 10 Coppergate, York, YO1 9NR, and will run between 21.07.2012 – 05.11.2012.
For more information, visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk.
Viking burials explored at Valhalla exhibition in York