Teaching History with 100 Objects - A Viking dragon plaque

The Scar plaque is made from whalebone, which was a rare and precious material. However the bones of other, more easily obtained animals were often used by Viking craftspeople to make everyday objects. Antler, animal skins and wool were also used to make clothes and domestic objects. In Viking towns, such as those established at York (Jorvik) and Dublin, archaeological evidences shows that specialist craft workers such as leatherworkers, antler workers and blacksmiths had workshops where they made and sold their wares. Many of these objects were taken abroad to trade as well as being used in the Viking homelands. Below is a selection of Viking objects made of different materials.

Bone: a pin found in the river Thames.

See more See more: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/asset/bone-pin/AQFZS0bJISatEg

Comb

Antler: a comb with matching case from York.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=66598&partId=1&searchText=comb+antler&page=1

Shoes

Leather: shoes from York, including a child’s shoe. It is rare for leather to survive; these shoes were preserved in waterlogged soil. Jorvik Viking Centre image © York Archaeological Trust.

More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre: http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/about-jorvik/gallery/

Sock

Wool: a sock from York. Jorvik Viking Centre image © York Archaeological Trust.

More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre: http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/about-jorvik/gallery/

Bowls and cups

Wood: these bowls and cups from York were turned on a lathe. Archaeologists also found the debris from their manufacture. Jorvik Viking Centre image © York Archaeological Trust.

More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre More objects from Jorvik Viking Centre: http://jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/about-jorvik/gallery/