An incredible collection of silver jewellery and coins, found in a lead container buried in Lancashire, is set to form the centrepiece of a new year-long display at York’s JORVIK Viking Centre. The Silverdale Hoard, dating back to around AD 900, arrives for a year-long exhibition on 8 February 2022.
The Silverdale Hoard is one of the largest Viking hoards ever discovered in the UK, and has been loaned to JORVIK Viking Centre by Lancashire County Museum Service. The full hoard contains over 200 pieces, with key pieces – including arm rings, hacksilver, ingots and coins, plus the lead container in which they were buried – displayed in dedicated cases in JORVIK’s artefacts gallery.
“This is the first time since its discovery that the Silverdale Hoard has been displayed outside of Lancashire, where it was unearthed by metal detectorist Darren Webster in 2011,” comments Christine McDonnell, Head of Collections and Archives at the JORVIK Viking Centre. “With thousands of people coming to JORVIK every week to learn about the Vikings, we’re extremely excited to be able to host this remarkable collection for the next 12 months.”
A special free virtual presentation marking the arrival of the Silverdale Hoard will take place in February as part of That JORVIK Viking Thing, the online Viking festival. Dr Gareth Williams of the British Museum will explain the hoard’s significance and the steps the British Museum took to conserve the find in a free online lecture. For more details, please visit www.jorvikthing.com
JORVIK Viking Centre is also inviting schools all over the country – and beyond – to join a free week packed with Viking-themed activities created by its award winning education team. That JORVIK Viking Thing: Schools’ Week runs from 14 – 18 February 2022 with content remaining online until 27 February.
Schools’ Week is an extension of JORVIK’s school visits and virtual outreach programme, bringing fun and engaging content to schools across the world free of charge. First run in February 2021 in response to schools limiting physical trips, the week has been extended in 2022 to feature a full week’s worth of education programming, including an introductory video each day and a livestreamed presentation linked to the theme every afternoon.
“This year, we’re hosting a full week of activities with something different every day around the theme of Viking Treasure – looking at the things the Vikings valued most,” comments Interpretation and Engagement Manager, Frances Bennett. “Over the course of the week, we’ll be looking at weapons, silver, ivory, silk and poetry – a genuine treasure chest of subjects!”
Teachers will be provided with links to the online content, as well as downloadable resources and ideas to implement during the week.
“We’re hoping that most participating schools will be able to join us for the livestreams, but we understand that different priorities – and indeed, term dates – might make this impossible, so all of the content will remain online for the following week, too,” says Fran.
Schools’ Week gives educators a taste of The JORVIK Group’s extensive virtual outreach programme, which offers schools live sessions with a Viking, medieval citizen or archaeologist via a video link, giving pupils a chance to interact with an expert on a wide range of subjects, from migration to environmental issues.
The week is primarily aimed at children in Key Stage 2, although content will be of interest for older pupils, too. Teachers who have registered for the week will be granted early access to the material in the week prior to help with planning.
For more information, or to register for Schools’ Week, please visit www.jorvikthing.com/sw2022
