TORONTO.- VIKINGS: The Exhibition opened at the Royal Ontario Museum on Saturday, November 4. 2017. Presented by investment dealer Raymond James Ltd., in partnership with the Swedish History Museum, the exhibition offers visitors a fresh perspective on an ancient culture that challenges some of the commonly held myths and perceptions about the lives of the Norse people and this period of European history. 

“The Vikings have had a profound impact on the modern imagination,” says Josh Basseches, Director & CEO of the ROM. “This exhibition presents a new and unexpected interpretation of the Vikings, as not only seafaring warriors, but a people who built a rich and varied culture. Our visitors will be surprised by what they see. The ROM showing is the first exhibition of Vikings we’ve ever staged, and we’re particularly delighted to include a Canadian perspective that contributes to our understanding of the Viking history in Canada.” 

Pendant, Thor’s hammer. Silver, filigree ornamentation. Unknown find spot, Scania, Sweden. SHM 9822:810. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

VIKINGS features interactive displays and nearly 500 original objects from the collections of the Swedish History Museum – many rarely seen outside of Scandinavia – that provide a window into the lives of these legendary explorers, artisans and craftspeople whose culture flourished between the 8th and the 11th centuries. 

“VIKINGS provides visitors with a holistic perspective on who the Norse were, how they changed through time and how they constantly pushed the boundaries of their world through innovation and exploration,” says Dr. Craig Cipolla, ROM Associate Curator of North American Archaeology. “The archaeological materials and interactive displays in the exhibition allow visitors to see and experience Viking culture and history in revealing and surprising ways.” 

Animal-head brooch. Bronze, silver and gold. The brooch has elaborate ornamentation and is proof of a high standard craftsmanship. Grave find, Hemse, Annexhemman, Gotland, Sweden. SHM 4645. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

The exhibition is presented in sections that work together to explore the rich and often misunderstood history of Viking life and culture. In this exhibition, visitors will learn: The central role women played in Viking society, how religion shaped their thinking, and how Viking art and culture shaped Europe and beyond. VIKINGS provides a richer perspective from which to view these epoch-making people. What emerges is a fuller understanding of Europe and the world that was influenced by and that influenced this complex and richly-layered society. 

Exclusive to the ROM, the exhibition includes a section on the Vikings in Canada that takes visitors back in time over1,000 years and explores the Vikings footprint in Canada. This section of the exhibition dives into the archaeology and history of the Norse on our East Coast, with objects from L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland; Baffin Island, Nunavut; as well as the ROM’s infamous Beardmore sword. 

The exhibition also features two reconstructed Viking boats, the 13 foot Arby (3.95 meters), and the 32 foot Eik Sande (9.75 meters). Both vessels have been faithfully re-created using Viking processes and materials, providing visitors with insights into Norse boat-building techniques, and the symbolism and mythology of their ships.

Axe. Iron. The shape of the axe head is made in a vegetative style. Rommunds, Gammelgarn, Gotland, Sweden. SHM 8010. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Figurine. Silver. The “horns” on the figurine actually form a hanging loop on the pendant. Ekhammar, Kungsängen, Uppland, Sweden. SHM 30245:F16. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Rune stone, copy. Plaster. The inscription reads: "Gine layed this stone together with Toke". The original is from Saint Paul's Cathedral, London, England. SHM 33322. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Sword. Iron and silver. The pommel is decorated with silver inlays. Grave find, Bengtsarvet and Häradsarvet, Sollerön, Dalarna, Sweden. SHM 22293:1. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Cross. Bronze and tin. The garment cross is of Irish origin and made from a bronze plate with engraved decor. Gravefind. Björkö, Adelsö, Uppland, Sweden. SHM 34000:Bj 511. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Brooch. Bronze, gilded. The brooch may be interpreted as Freya’s magic brooch, “Brisingamen”. Othemars, Othem, Gotland, Sweden. SHM 4555. Credit: Swedish History Museum.

Helmet. Iron. Reconstruction. The original is from Germundbu, Norway, and one of the very few known Viking-Age helmets. SHM 29750:571. Credit: Swedish History Museum.