The artefacts of Viking York
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain some of the things archaeologists have learnt from key artefacts found in Viking York.
Key learning points
- At Coppergate, archaeologists found a metal padlock and key, which suggests the owner was rich.
- Whoever owned them would have controlled access to the home and to valuables that were locked away.
- They also found 42 pairs of ice skates, made from horse or cattle leg bones, and used for transportation and leisure.
- A discovered wooden gaming board with walrus ivory pieces tells us that the Vikings liked to play boardgames.
- A discovered coin die with a design referencing St Peter and Thor shows how religious beliefs blended in Viking York.
Keywords
Artefact - an artefact is an object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest
Coin die - a coin die is a metal stamp used to imprint a design on a coin
Thor - Thor was the Viking god of thunder
Common misconception
Pupils may think that what archaeologists learn from artefacts is definitive knowledge.
Archaeologists carefully study artefacts to learn how people lived in specific times and places. New knowledge can be discovered and can change their understanding of how people lived.
Teacher tip
Spend time looking at the artefacts found at Coppergate and have discussions with pupils about what you can learn from them. Pupils will gain an understanding of how long archaeologists take carefully studying artefacts to learn how people lived in specific times and places.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: The action of buying and selling goods is called
Q2.What was the name of a person in Viking times who traded goods?
Q3.Which river provided easy trade routes in and out of York?
Q4.Which of these were objects that Viking merchants traded across the world?
Q5.Complete the sentence: A large amount of , around 23 fragments, was found at Coppergate.
Q6.Match the excavated item to where it originally came from.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: An object made by a human being, often of historical interest, is called an .
Q2.Why are artefacts important to archaeologists?
Q3.Which artefacts were among those found at Coppergate?
Q4.What was the piece of metal used to stamp images onto blank metal discs called?
Q5.Complete the sentence: Archaeologists learnt that the Vikings used for travel and enjoyment in the winter months.
Q6.What was Thor a Norse god of?
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The artefacts of Viking York, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The artefacts of Viking York, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Vikings: how do we know so much about Viking York? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.