The Vikings Begin

This extraordinary new exhibition features dozens of early Viking artifacts from boat graves, organized by Uppsala University in Sweden and its museum, Gustavianum, which is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Viking and pre-Viking objects.

Check out related media coverage!

Minnesota Public Radio – Who knew? The marauding Vikings were also expert traders, craftsmen and farmers

Star Tribune - Precious relics in Minneapolis show offer a rare glimpse of the early Vikings

Based on cutting-edge research by Neil Price, Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson and John Ljungkvist, the exhibition at ASI is the Midwest premiere of a collection that has never been outside of Scandinavia until this year, with many finds that are around 1400 years old. With Viking helmets, swords and weapons for attack and defense, as well as jewelry, glass vessels, bowls and other objects with magical importance, the artifacts tell stories both about the society and the people buried with them.

The installation is divided into thematic sections on Viking warfare, maritime trade, a ship burial, Norse gods, the Baltic Sea and geo-political relationships to other cultures, shedding new light on how early Viking society was organized, the role of women and the development of maritime innovation that enabled the Vikings to reach faraway lands in the East and the West.

Related Events & Programming

• Saturday, October 5, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Viking University Day II: Learn from experts in Viking age society including Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson from Uppsala University, Birgitta Wallace from Parks Canada, Jesse Byock from UCLA, Emily Peschel from the University of Calgary and Ute Geodecke and Per Mattsson from Musik I Syd (Ensemble Laude Novella)
• Through October 26 – Private Group Tours: Book a tour for your group of 10+ to experience The Vikings Begin with a knowledgable guide. Can pair with a food package from ASI's Slate and Stone catering!