New
New
Year 6
The artefacts of Viking York
I can explain some of the things archaeologists have learnt from key artefacts found in Viking York.
New
New
Year 6
The artefacts of Viking York
I can explain some of the things archaeologists have learnt from key artefacts found in Viking York.
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Lesson details
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.
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.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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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?
purchaser
buyer
seller
Q3.
Which river provided easy trade routes in and out of York?
Foss
Baltic
Thames
Q4.
Which of these were objects that Viking merchants traded across the world?
mosaics
papyrus
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.
Russia
Baltic
Byzantium
Exit quiz
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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?
They are beautiful things for them to treasure.
They can be sold and make them lots of money.
They can use them to help make modern tools.
Q3.
Which artefacts were among those found at Coppergate?
mosaics
glass statues
Q4.
What was the piece of metal used to stamp images onto blank metal discs called?
coin stamp
coin printer
coin cutter
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?
lightening
rain
storms
Additional material
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