Construction work in York, England, unearthed a Viking-age city known as Jorvik. Archaeological excavations revealed a rich Anglo-Norse world full of insights into the past.

York, located in the northeast of England, was founded by the Romans around 71 AD, who named it Eboracum. During the Anglo-Saxon period, Eboracum became the center of the kingdom of Northumbria and was known as Eoforwic around 865 AD, when a large Viking army landed in England. On November 1, 866 AD, the Viking invaders conquered York. Following their successful conquest, the Norse permanently settled in Eoforwic (Jorvik) around 876 AD. Scandinavian rulers maintained control of Jorvik until the expulsion of Erik Bloodaxe in 954 AD. The York Archaeological Trust began excavating the area in the 1970s, uncovering Viking-era houses and markets.

1. The Street of the Cup Makers in Jorvik

On a street called Coppergate, archaeologists discovered long, narrow plots divided by fences made of reeds. The name of the street roughly translates to “street of the cup makers.” Throughout the excavation, archaeologists found numerous cups, but the Coppergate dig also revealed a marketplace that once served as a workplace for Viking-era artisans. Fortunately for the archaeologists, the soils of Jorvik were moist and rich, preventing oxygen from penetrating and allowing many unique artifacts from the 9th and 10th centuries to be preserved. This has unveiled a world filled with much more than just cups.

2. Viking Footwear

Textiles often preserve poorly when buried under centuries of soil, but in Jorvik, archaeologists found damp soils that preserved unique traces of footwear. During the excavations, they uncovered a variety of leather shoes belonging to both adults and children. Most of the shoes were found to have been made using the turnshoe method. In this form of shoe construction, the cobbler sews the sole and the upper together inside out. The shoe is then turned right side out, hence the name. A different type of shoe was also found. This shoe was made from a single piece of leather folded around the foot and stitched together. With this unique collection of shoes, archaeologists can begin to explore the diversity of footwear used and investigate which may have been imported or locally manufactured.

Archaeologists also recovered fragments of a wool sock. Upon studying it, they discovered that it had been knitted with a single-eyed needle. The wool had faded over the centuries in the soil, and the original color of the sock is unclear, although a red band was visible around the ankle. So far, the Coppergate sock is the only one of its kind found in England. Not even an equivalent pair has been discovered. Therefore, the sock is a truly unique Viking import.

In addition to socks and shoes, archaeologists also discovered what appeared to be ice skates at Viking Jorvik. These skates were made from horse bone. Archaeologists speculate that these skates were practical tools for navigating frozen rivers, as well as a fun means of recreation.

These unique artifacts provide insight into what the Vikings wore on their feet, the footwear industry in Jorvik, and the various modes of transportation in the bustling medieval world.

3. Silk

The Vikings remained in York throughout the 10th century AD, and there is surprising evidence of their occupation. In a well dating from the late 10th century, archaeologists discovered crushed fabric. Upon flattening the object and examining it more closely, they found a very unique silk headdress. The headdress would have covered the entire back of a person’s head and part of the neck. There were stitches at the bottom of the headdress where ribbons could have been attached to secure it in place.

Silk was an exotic fabric in the medieval world. Possible sources of the silk include the Eastern Mediterranean kingdoms and beyond, such as the Byzantine Empire. Another potential source was Baghdad. Other pieces of silk have also been found in Jorvik, suggesting that silk was imported to York in the Middle Ages and that local artisans transformed it into various items. Given the perceived value of exotic goods in the medieval Nordic world, it is likely that the silk headdress belonged to a wealthy Viking woman.

4. The Coppergate helmet

researchers found a wooden-lined pit filled with antlers, stones, glass, iron, and an extraordinary helmet. The helmet, made of an iron and copper alloy, has been dated to the 8th century AD. Thus, this artifact predates the Viking settlement of York and provides insight into the world of the Anglo-Saxons who also called Jorvik home.

Upon closer examination of the helmet, archaeologists found an inscription in Latin that read: “In the name of our Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God; and to all we say Amen/Oshere/Christ.” The helmet has been interpreted as both functional armor and a symbol of Anglo-Saxon power.

5. Fauna and Flora

Excavations in Jorvik uncovered about five tons of animal bones, also known as faunal remains. From these remains, archaeologists and zooarchaeologists have determined that mice and rats scurried around the feet of both the Anglo-Saxons and the Vikings. They hunted, traded, and consumed fish. Ducks and geese wandered the streets, while dogs, cats, and pigs roamed the medieval homes. Plant remains were also recovered in the Viking city. Based on the excavations, archaeologists believe that plant-based foods such as celery, coriander, lettuce, radishes, and parsnips were part of the Viking diet. Though these artifacts may be less glamorous than others, they provide valuable insights and are significant for scholars’ understanding of the Viking world.

6. Jorvik was connected to the East.

The silk headdress was not the only item of Eastern origin that reached Jorvik. The Vikings also had trade routes with the Baltic region. In Jorvik, archaeologists found remnants of Baltic amber. Similar to silk, amber appears to have been imported and then shaped by York artisans, who crafted rings, pendants, and beads.

Amber was a popular material for adornments during the Viking Age, but its use may have been more than just decorative. One archaeologist suggests that amber emitted a static charge or scent that the Vikings regarded as a sign of magical power.

Another interesting artifact found from the East was a cowrie shell. While cowrie shells are found all over the world, this particular shell belonged to the species *Cypraea pantherina*, which is naturally found only in the Red Sea. The coins provided further evidence of the Vikings’ connections to the East.

The coins from Jorvik come from many different regions. One of them was minted in present-day Uzbekistan around 903-908 AD. In the case of the coins and shells from the east, archaeologists have been unable to determine whether the Vikings traveled to the Red Sea or present-day Uzbekistan themselves or if they acquired these items through exchanges with other raiding merchants. What seems evident is that the Vikings had an interest in objects that could only be obtained from the East.

7. Jorvik was connected to the West.

According to some historians, the early Scandinavians who conquered the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Eoforwic had already established themselves in Ireland. In Jorvik, evidence of connections with Ireland emerged in the form of copper alloy pins. These metal pins, featuring rings around the pinhead, may have been used to decorate and/or secure clothing during the Viking era. Ringed pins first appeared in Ireland in the 10th century.

While many ringed pins have been found during excavations in Jorvik, archaeologists have yet to determine whether these pins were manufactured in Ireland and imported to Jorvik, or if artisans in Jorvik created them in England, mimicking the Irish style. What is clear is that Jorvik maintained connections with the west, leaving a lasting impact.

8. Jorvik was connected to the North.

Archaeologists have recovered a significant number of artifacts that suggest the Vikings put considerable effort into their appearance. Excavations in Jorvik revealed that finger rings were popular during this period. Rings made of metal, glass, antler, and walrus ivory have been found in Jorvik. The presence of walrus ivory rings indicates that the Vikings were connected to Arctic trade routes, as well as to western and eastern ports.

9. Jorvik: A Hub of Entertainment and Culture

jorvik: A Medieval Playground of Trade and Leisure

Jorvik was a significant trading hub, but the Vikings also knew how to have fun. Archaeologists have unearthed numerous artifacts during excavations in Jorvik that illuminate how leisure time was spent in medieval York. Evidence of potential games was found in the form of dice and a partial hnefatafl board, along with hnefatafl game pieces.

Additionally, possible musical instruments have been discovered, such as a pan flute and buzzing bones (a medieval noise-making toy). These artifacts add another dimension to the vibrant medieval world of Viking Jorvik, where, amid the bustling trade, strategic games were played and pan flutes were played.

10. Jorvik: Uncovering the Secrets of the Past

In the Viking Jorvik, archaeologists discovered a series of security tools. They found iron locks shaped like cubes and barrels, as well as keys. These keys were long, thin metal pieces that could be inserted into the locks. Decades of excavations show that medieval York was a place where Vikings conquered the Anglo-Saxons, established roots, and maintained extensive relations with the outside world. These artifacts reveal that their homes and cities were worthy of protection and are essential for uncovering the secrets of the Viking era in Jorvik.