Into the world of Vikings

BY DYLAN OLLEY

As Torontonians settle into the new year, some may take time to look back into the past. The Royal Ontario Museum is the perfect place to step into history with a special show dedicated to Vikings.

Vikings: The Exhibition opened in November and will run until April. It allowing visitors to see historic Viking artifacts as well as learn about who they were as a people.

Vikings: The Exhibition at the ROM (Photos taken by Dylan Olley)
Many visitors eagerly wait to see artifacts
Jewelery made from stones and string
ceremonial stones for prayer
Tools used for wood carving
Wood instruments used for both prayer and entertainment
Items used when praying the the goddess Freya
Tool used when honouring the dead
Items found on a Viking ship
Many Vikings were farmers, and would collect the wool of sheep and make leather from cow hide
Tools used for personal hygiene
Rope made out of Woad, a type of fiber. The color depended on the type of woad stock used.
Vikings were great craftsmen, and made a great deal of pottery.
A christian prayer box, most likely stolen in a Viking raid.
A long boat used during raids.
A stone idol showing the afterlife Helhiem.
A small idol crafted out of animal bone
FIshing tools used when at sea
Massive artwork on display showing scenes of Viking life
Weaponry used during raids or clan wars
Materials used for preparing a dead body for a funeral
Tools used when praying for the dead
Videos showing scenes of Vikings at sea
A stone idol, showing Jörmungandr, the world serpent
A giant sail of a Viking war ship
The gift shop, with exclusive Viking-themed items

When people think about Vikings they may think of large, scary looking men, with long flowing beards, covered in armour and wearing a helmet with horns. However, the exhibit shows that there was much more to Viking life than just raiding and wars.

Through the many artifacts shown in the exhibit, one can see that the Vikings were people who farmed and had communities. They lived in large longhouses made of wood and would usually live in large clans.

“I found it very interesting that most of the stereotypes like the horned helmets weren’t actually real,” said Sheila Muliyil, 50. “The beliefs they had were also really fun for me to learn about since I’m a huge fan of different religions.”

Most of the artifacts on display were used for worship. Vikings believed in Norse mythology and would make items from nature to honour gods such as Thor, Freya and Odin.

The exhibit also features interactive elements, such as a digital map of Yggdrasil, the world tree in Norse mythology. An audio tour is available, detailing every major aspect of the exhibit.

Kevin Phan, a 22-year-old University of Toronto student, went on the audio tour. “It was pretty cool walking around being able to just listen to facts without having to read them,” Phan said. “It was just a more interesting way to enjoy the experience I feel.”

The exhibit also has special events planned throughout the holiday season. These include live reenactments as well as a kid friendly area to sit, eat and listen about Vikings from a live speaker.

Finally, the part of the exhibit which usually gets the most attention from the younger patrons is the gift shop. Everything available is Viking-themed, including sweaters made to look like fur covered armour and cups shaped like horns for drinking mead.

“It was a really great way to spend the day,” Muliyil said. “I definitely will want to see it a second time before it’s over.”