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Vikings North Atlantic Saga - a Review 

 

Eve Harris
 
 
<CITE>(The following is a review of Vikings - NAS from the presentation at the Canadian
Museum of Civilization in Ottawa / Hull, Canada. )</CITE>
 
 
The exhibit opens with a full-size replica of the Jelling Stone, erected to/by King
Harald Bluetooth at Jelling in Jutland, Denmark about 965. The replica has a fresh
paint job (orange, blue, white, red and gold) and its striking images of King Harald
crucified by knotwork plus a magical beast on the other side really help to set the tone.
 
 
I moved on to graffiti stones, including one of a bearded man with a head full of
separate articulated curls, and a limestone picture stone showing warriors traveling
to and fighting in Valhalla (the fighting warriors appear to have eagle aspects -
wings?!). 
 
There was a 13th century sail fragment found on Ruin Island, Thule District, Greenland.
Although greatly darkened and discoloured, the unraveling patches show a soft springy
light brown yarn that looks like drop spindle (no obvious plying). Unfortunately
there were no measurements given for any of the exhibits, I didn't bring a ruler, and
had to guess by eye. However, it looked like it was about 6 by 6 strands per square
centimetre. 
 
Then there was a parchment fragment from Egil's Saga, c. 1400, Iceland. Although the
parchment was very discoloured, the ink was still strong, a rusty black. I couldn't
believe how small the writing was, it looked like 8 pt uncial, very even, very nice.
The parchment itself looked 6" x 9" and the margins were strange. About 1.25" bottom
and right sides, 0.5" on the left side and varying from 0.5"-0.75" on the top. There
were other examples of 14th century calligraphy and even some illumination. 
 
Moving on to a mass burial early 11th century in Brattahild, Greenland at Thjodhild's
Church (wife of Erik the Red). Apparently it contained 13 men and a 9 year old child
whose bones bear distinct signs of violence. Three of the skulls shown have blows
to the left side of the head, on or above the ear or in the back left quadrant. One in
particular shows a real "cleave" with a smooth edge. The others are blunt trauma.
 
 
There is a replica of the 9th century Lindisfarne grave marker which was quite nice. 
 
The collection of swords and spears was nice but I think the ROM's is even better.
I really liked one inscribed sword, 9th -11th century, Vestfold, Norway. In addition
to some niello work, the guard and tea cozy pommel have diamond punch work which
was quite attractive. I was surprised by just how long the spear heads actually are - 15"+
for the business end not including the bit that fits onto the wood. Ouch. 
 
They had a nice varied selection of jewellery, including a braided gold ring (size
10?) and a yummy gold arm ring, late 9th-early 10th century from Zealand, Denmark
with wonderful detailed repousse work. I liked the displays of glass, crystal and
carnelian beads and amber animals, plus the plain jet rings. There were some millefiori beads,
9th century, found in Ribe, Jutland, Denmark. And the pennannular brooches are just
as huge and vulgar as you can make 'em. Some welding was very clumsy. 
 
I was struck by the use of small stamps, generally tiny triangles with three dots
inside, to decorate bracelets, ring brooch pins, etc. Although the components were
small and simple, they built them up into complex designs. 
 
One cool thing was the 6th-7th century small bronze Buddha from Northern India found
in Helgi, Uppland, Sweden. 
 
Another piece of loot is Ranvaig's Casket, c. 1000, a Pictish house-style reliquary
taken to Norway. Described as red enamel and copper plate. A lot of the red enamel
has fallen out but I liked the very faint etched knotwork designs on the back of
the reliquary and the decorated roof-tree on top. 
 
I really, really want to know more about the Mammen burial, which apparently included
gold brocaded silk and embroidered wool with fur trim. They had a mannequin on display
wearing suggested reproduction clothing which I am curious about. I wish they could have brought the brocaded silk or at least shown a picture. 
 
There was a silk fragment, about 10th century, found in Coppergate, York, England.
It is very damaged, the colour is now dark brown, but the undamaged areas are very
fine. I bumped my nose several times trying to see the weave but can't really describe
it. 
 
There were a couple of shoes on display, one on a bone "skate", and all I can say
is that I'm now more than ever a Marc Carlson believer. The work looked like 5 stitches
per inch and the shoes were really well preserved. These were 10th century, Coppergate again. 
 
They had a few 14th century textile finds from Herjolfsnes (Ikigaat), Eastern Settlement,
including a virtually intact woolen liripipe in a medium weight, with what looks
like herringbone weave on part of the neck (it changes elsewhere). The edges were
turned under and hemmed down and the stitches were not visible on the outside. It seemed
to have a lining but I have a strong feeling this is a modern addition. There was
also a little child's dress, same site, with front and back gores, each composed
of two triangles, and the scoop necked bodice sewn to the skirt with gently tapered sleeves,
in homespun. There was also a small pillbox hat in the same material. Unfortunately
I found this part of the exhibit depressing because along with the little dress and
hat was a tiny wooden coffin. 
 
One really neat thing was the "killed" sword, about 9th-11th century, found in Vastmanland,
Sweden. It had been folded 3 times, including the hilt, apparently to keep the sword
or its dead owner from magically attacking the living. There was also a magical "rangle", or magic rattle, to keep evil spirits away. 
 
It took 2.5 hours to go over the exhibit, more if one takes greater time over the
14th century, Saami and the L'Anse aux Meadows finds. And it will take me a while
to forget the "Carry us far away" musical track in the video room. They also had
some hands-on reproductions, e.g. a good Viking shield with faces etched on the handle brackets,
Nine Men Morris and hneftafl boards, and a comb. 
 
Admission to the exhibit was $10 and it is totally worth it. <CITE>(Editors Note: The exhibit was actually free with normal admission to the CMC. This
varies depending on the institution hosting the exhibit)</CITE>
Unfortunately, no photography allowed, but the book of the exhibit, Vikings: The
North Atlantic Saga is readily available new and used in a variety of formats. 
<CITE>(Editor's Note: Each institution on the tour mounts its own gift shop, so the selection
of materials available varies considerably. For those not able to visit the exhibit,
the accompanying catalogue by Fitzhugh and Ward is also available from 'Chapters'
stores and through their on line catalogue.)</CITE>
 

Eve Harris experiments in re-creating medieval and renaissance garments and is interested in Hiberno-Norse archaeological finds. Eve lives and works in Toronto with her husband David Stamper and their son Matthew.
 
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