PHOTOS OF THE SWEDISH HISTORY MUSEUM
Day 141 July 5th 2017
So many Museums – so little time! Stockholm has around 75 museums and we have 4 to 5 hours a day for 7 days maximum. Choices need to be made! And the Viking history at the Swedish History Museum is compelling.
75 Museums – How do you choose? An excellent map of Museums of Stockholm 2017 from the Tourist Information helped decide – based on interest (ABBA museum), close at hand and interest (Nobel Museum), highly recommended the Vasa Museum and Fotografiska. We had also chosen Moderna Museet , Millesgarden and Thielska but these had to be dropped off the list.
Today – the Swedish History Museum and within the museum we narrowed our visit down to two exhibitions –
and
We could say – “Great choices” on our part – but we would not be qualified to say as we did not get to the rest of the museum. But YES from our view – in hindsight – great choices!
What Did We Learn From the Swedish History Museum
About Vikings
Rather than a Viking people it is described as a Viking age – 750AD to 1000AD – the name of a Viking age was first recorded apparently in the 18th century. So not all Scandinavians were Vikings even within that era. There were no people called Vikings. Yet today cultural stereotypes abound. And all this is reinforced by the absence of written history except for the Rune stones.
Viking Women – Yes there were – gender does not appear to have been an issue. Women held key roles – business, rulers, joint decision makers.
There was a sophisticated language and trading system between villages and groups.
Vikings did not wear horned helmets – this is said to have been invented by the British armies of the time trying to rev up recruits to join and fight against the Nordic forces.
‘Vikings’ were not all raping, pillaging, plundering. Some were traders, farmers, politicians. Oh and some were women!
Leif Erikson travelled to North America – (sorry Christopher Columbus you were not the first) in the 11th Century – with current proof found in Canada – Newfoundland – L’anse Meadows
Birka Village – (we did not get there – it would have been worthwhile but time did not permit) and Lanse aux Meadows (settlement in Canada) have extensive evidence of ‘Viking’ settlement. In both settlements no reason has been found for the cessation of settlement. Damn why didn’t they leave a book written in English of the history!
Viking history is everywhere – Ireland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Canada.
And then there was the GOLD room – apparently there is/was a law that Gold found had to be given to the Government of Sweden – given the finds in archeological digs here the gold artifacts on display are incredible!
The collection contains 52 kilos of gold and over 200 kilos of silver!
And at the end of all this – lunch – and of course who could choose anything but the Viking Plate! Delicious hot smoked salmon, warm root vegetable salad and Viking hard bread. I am Viking hear me ROAR.
Finally and uncharacteristically for a History museum – in the foyer was a large carved Grecian lion covered in crochet work.
Incongruous!
A video film nearby describes the development of this art work by Elisabeth Bucht – described as a Yarn Monkey. Made to interpret as you will as an art piece the artist talks about softening the masculine symbol of the Lion. Reminding us of the constant of change that brings new interpretations. The warming, welcoming and covering of new arrivals.
