Help us make the Viking festival credible
Reference period: 700–1100 AD.
The instructions apply from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but preferably around the clock.
The market square and market participants should reflect ordinary Viking life with an emphasis on warriors and crafts from around 985–86.
You can find inspiration here: Oseberg, Kaupang, Birka, Hedeby, Ribe, Ringborgene, Tissø, Lejre, Vorbasse, Uppåkra, and others.
Clothing
OK types: Designs and patterns based on Nordic/Scandinavian finds.
Not OK: Ethnic designs outside the Nordic/Scandinavian cultural sphere and modern clothing.
Glasses
Acceptable, but contact lenses or no glasses are preferred.
Foot wear
OK types: Patterns and designs based on Nordic/Scandinavian finds from the period.
Not OK: Modern shoes and boots. NB! In emergencies, modern shoes can be camouflaged with covers.
Food
OK types: Meat from Nordic animals, fish, birds, vegetables, fruit and berries, nuts, etc. Based on findings of bones, pollen, etc.
Not OK: Potatoes, tomatoes, corn, chili peppers, cucumbers, bananas, rice, spaghetti, etc.
Glassware
OK types: Glass and beads as Nordic/Scandinavian finds from the period.
Not OK: Modern glass.
Ceramics
OK types: Nordic/Scandinavian finds from the period. Imported Baltic ceramics, Tattinger, Pingsdorf, Stanford ware with internal glaze.
Not OK: Stoneware, glazed pottery.
Cookware
OK types: Pots, pans, and buckets made of iron, ceramic, soapstone, and wood, such as those found at Oseberg, Trelleborg, Birka, Hedeby, and Ribe.
Not OK: Modern aluminum and cast iron pots with or without enamel. Buckets made of tropical woods.
Crystals
OK types: Mountain crystal lenses imported from the East.
Not OK: Various decorative crystals.
Lamps
OK types: Such as finds e.g. pottery, clay, and wrought iron lamps. Bladder lamps in various designs are accepted.
Not OK: Oriental oil lamps.
Toys
OK types: Such as Nordic/Scandinavian finds.
Not OK: Copies of medieval swords and shields, fantasy dolls. Topical types of wood and modern materials such as plastic, etc.
Furniture
OK types: Designs from the period.
Not OK: African chairs, medieval furniture, and furniture made from non-Nordic wood types.
Wickerwork
OK types: Wickerwork from Nordic/Scandinavian finds.
Not OK: Rattan, plywood bases, non-Scandinavian woods, and modern materials.
Goods for sale
OK types: Copies and reconstructions of objects from the period. Gold and silver items must be hallmarked. Skins must be from Nordic animals. Food for sale must meet the requirements of the veterinary authorities. Food in modern containers, books, etc. must be placed in a special area.
Not OK: Copies of medieval weapons, plastic toys, objects made from non-Nordic wood, stoneware ceramics, oriental oil lamps, etc.
Furs and skins
OK types: Skins from contemporary animals native to Northern Europe.
Not OK: Skins from, for example, North America, tropical regions, and exotic animals.
Jewelry
OK types: Finds from Northern Europe.
Not OK: Medieval, modern jewelry, and watches.
Technology
All technology may be used in the Viking Lounge but must be stored away during museum opening hours.
Textiles
OK types: Wool, linen, and silk fabrics in patterns and colors reminiscent of Nordic/Scandinavian finds.
Not OK: Visible modern synthetic fabrics and colors.
Tent fabric
OK types: Fabrics made of wool, linen, or leather. NB! Cotton is accepted until the Reconstructed Castle has been erected.
Not OK: Cotton and synthetic fabrics.
Tents
OK types: Oseberg tents, Saxon tents, bivouacs, and oversails.
Not OK: Knight tents, round tents, Roman tents, and modern tents (refer to the plastic camp).
Ropes
OK types: Hemp rope, lime bast rope, shredded leather, horsehair, etc.
Not OK: Sisal and coconut rope, as well as modern synthetic rope.
Tools
OK types: Such as Nordic/Scandinavian finds from the period, e.g. Mästermyr.
Not OK: Modern tools.
Weapons
OK types: Like Scandinavian finds from the period.
Not OK: Crossbows, weapons after 1100, e.g., compound bows.