VIKINGS WARRIORS OF THE SEAS AT FERNBANK

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/8/23

Explore Norse Culture, Society, Technology and More

“Vikings: Warriors of the Sea” Opens October 7 at Fernbank Museum

Tickets here.

As autumn approaches, so with it does the thrill of exploration. On view from Oct. 7, 2023 — Jan. 1, 2024, Fernbank Museum’s newest exhibit, “Vikings: Warriors of the Sea” dares to uncover the truth behind the legendary Viking culture and
society. Were they blood-thirsty plunderers or misunderstood explorers, farmers, traders and highly skilled craftsmen? Featuring impressive archaeological discoveries, “Vikings: Warriors of the Sea” sheds new light on the Viking Age, dispelling long-held stereotypes about its people, traditions and influence.

“Vikings: Warriors of the Sea” demonstrates how innovations like sturdy, light-weight ships were brought to the modern world through Viking invention. This exhibit features 140 artifacts that give a well-rounded view of Viking culture, including a replica of a 21-foot Viking ship, personal equipment and weapons, jewelry, keys, silver hoards, coins, and personal grooming items. The exhibit also features a 9-ft tall reproduction jelling stone that provides information
about Viking religious beliefs and history, as well as a number of hands-on interactives. Guests will have a chance to play a Norse board game, build a Viking ship, test the balance between the blade and handle of a Viking sword and more.

“Viking culture has featured prominently in film and television programming in recent years, but in many cases, the perspective is skewed towards that of the Viking warrior,” said Dr. Bobbi Hohmann, Vice President of Programming. “Through authentic artifacts, this immersive new exhibit will allow our visitors to gain a better understanding of Viking culture, innovation and achievements.”

It is through these artifacts that The National Museum of Denmark and MuseumsPartner successfully revive the world of the Vikings who indeed raided, but also traded and generally held a more complex lifestyle than previously believed.

“With this exhibition, we hope to bring visitors up close with the people who influenced and transformed Western society. While remembered as raiders, the Vikings were also traders, craftsmen, explorers and more,” said Vikings: Warrior of the Sea exhibit curator, Peter Pentz. “One of the most impressive items in the exhibit, standing more than 9 feet high, is a replica of the Jelling runestone, erected by Harald Bluetooth. In a way, the Jelling stone marks the beginning of the end of the Viking era. This is what the exhibition is about — the transformation of a society ruled by petty raiding and terrorizing chieftains into a pre-modern state built oncommon understandings and lead by a Christian king.”

“Vikings: Warriors of the Sea” is open from Oct. 7, 2023 — Jan. 1, 2024.