Vikings Classroom Kit

The Lewis Chessmen are one of the most famous Viking age finds, with pieces in both the British Museum and the National Museum of Scotland. Pieces from several sets were found on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides and are symbolic of the late Viking World.

The Vikings kit will include one pawn and one other piece.

The Hangerock, or apron dress, also known as a Smokkr, was a common garment for women of the Viking Age.  It was typically worn over a dress as an outer layer, and the fragmentary nature of archaeological textile evidence means that its design is open to interpretation. For ease of use, we have added side ties to the apron.

Please note that final colour and decorative elements are subject to change.

The Mammen Axe is a significant archaeological find from a high-status Viking burial discovered at Mammen, Denmark. It has been dated to 970-971 AD, and depicts detailed pagan and Christian imagery. Its decorative nature suggests it was not a practical weapon.

The axe head is 3D printed for a highly detailed and accurate replica that also allows for safe handling in the classroom.

Numismatics (the study of coins) is an excellent way to examine the symbolism of any civilisation. The coins provided are based on real finds from the Viking settlement in York, England. 

The coins are printed in plastic from a 3D model of an authentic Viking coin. 

No other artefact is so iconic of the Vikings than the wooden Viking ships they built for trade, transport, exploration and conquest. The best-known Viking ship discoveries were the Roskilde ships from Denmark and the lavish ship burials of Norway.

These models are made from cork and plywood and comes flat packed. Assembly is quick and easy, but the final product should be handled gently.

This comb was a 2021 discovery by archaeologists excavating in Sweden. It is decorated and made from moose or elk horn. Combs were a common personal item in Viking society. While the Skälby comb has not yet been dated it may pre-date the Viking Age.

The comb in the Vikings kit is handmade from cattle horn.

Viking runes are in a runic language called elder Futhark, which consists of 24 characters. Each rune has not only a sound, but also a meaning or symbol, so they can be interpreted in different ways by historians. Vikings believed they were a gift from the god Odin and had magical properties, but that did not mean that they were above writing runic graffiti! 

Only one intact helmet from the Viking Age has been found in the archaeological record, which is the Gjermundbu helmet from Norway. Other evidence comes from helmet fragments and helmets are also depicted in Viking art.  This is a commoner’s helmet; the helm is made of thick leather, reinforced by riveted leather bands.

This hood is based on the discoveries made at a peat bog grave site discovered in 1936, in Skjold Harbor in Norway. Textiles generally deteriorate rapidly in graves, and this find was remarkably preserved due to its environment. 
Like many garments of the Viking Age, its design is very economical in terms of fabric use as it is generally only made of three or four geometric pieces. 

Tortoise brooches are commonly found among grave goods and generally consist of a set with brooches with multiple strings of wooden and stone beads strung between them.  Customarily worn in pairs on the front of a Viking woman’s dress, historians believe they were used to pin the loops of the Hangerock to the front bodice. 

Please note that final style of brooches, beads, and pendant are subject to change. 

These tattoo designs are inspired by Viking art, whether it be on coins, rune stones, tapestry, or decorated items. They include some of the key Viking art styles, including Mammen, Ringerike, Urnes, and Jelling. Some of the famous images include a detail of Sigurd killing the snake, the Maeshowe lion, and all the individual runes.

Inspired by a leather mug on display at the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, England, this artefacts provides an everyday object that showcases how much life has changed. While drinking horns are the stereotypical vessel of choice for Vikings in historical imagery, leather and wooden mugs were also used. None of these survive well in archaeology.

Also known as Viking chess, Hnefatafl was a strategic board game, unusual in the fact that it has two unequal sides. There have been several archaeological finds of game pieces and fragments of boards, but the rules of play from the Viking age have since been lost. Modern scholars have created the most likely rules, and players are recommended to try some different options.

The board is handcrafted from leather and the playing pieces are made of wood with designs burnt into them.