Special exhibition - The World in the Viking Age

A special exhibit is currently going on right now at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark. The exhibit is called The World in the Viking Age and has a focus on the international aspects of the Viking Age spanning from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, East Africa, and China. The exhibit is headed off by the accounts of three voyagers from the 9^th century with a large number of artifacts that have never been exhibited together. Sea faring voyages, stories of treasure, and adventures are told through interactive exhibitions. These exhibitions include treasure chests that rise up from the floor, an interactive world map that includes the routes from where specific artifacts came. The routes light up when a button near the artifact is pushed. This exhibit gets visitors thinking about the Viking Age in a more global sense and allows them to explore questions that at this time have been unanswered.

                It sounds like the staff here have done a great job of adding aspects to the exhibit that will get people involved with artifacts and hopefully help them remember what they see during their visit. I have noticed that large interactive maps are becoming popular inclusions in museums in Europe and I think it is a good idea. It is a new way to look at a map. I also like that the exhibit at the Viking Ship Museum combines primary sources of voyages with archaeology and artefacts. The artefacts in this exhibit include silver and gold coins and objects, a comb made out of reindeer antler, a page from the Koran, a carving of the Buddha, and various luxury goods. All have traveled great distances to tell their stories.

http://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/exhibitions/special-exhibition-2014-the-world-in-the-viking-age/introduction-to-the-exhibition/#.VIkfgDHF8lo