the Yorkshire Museum

Since colder temperatures have arrived, we decided to spend the day visiting the Yorkshire Museum in York's Museum Gardens. As the name implies, the museum contains artifacts covering 2000 years of occupied history for York and the surrounding areas as well as some creepy fake prehistoric animals that inhabited the area when it was covered with a warm sea. There are a few interesting items of note in the collection.

Starting with the Romans (71AD-400AD):
Of course, York oozes with Roman finds. Most are small buckles and brooches, but also include cooking implements (with some modern-looking strainers), combs, weapons, and grave stones. As always, the Roman craftsmanship is impressive. Even the belt buckle in the picture below has an inlay design.


Next, the Anglo-Saxons:
Anglian "Coppergate" or "York Helmet" from the 750s. Found when a mechanical digger was excavating ground in York for a shopping center. Reconstructed, it is "one of only three complete examples from the Anglian period found in England." Made of copper alloy and iron, it is stylistically Northumbrian and has interlacing animals on the nose guard.




Anglian sword from the 9th century. Found in a Yorkshire stream.


Then the Vikings (866AD-965AD):
A Viking canoe, or log boat, from the 900s. Found in silt at the bottom of a river. (Crossbars are obviously not original)


Fun fact—the last Viking King of what was then known as "Jorvik" was named Eric Bloodaxe. How cool of a name is that? Better than Walter the Woodpecker, that's for sure.

After that, the Normans:
This is a nice example of some reconstructed Norman-style stone arches. I like this style because it's so graphic. In reality it would have been painted and more garish—I think I probably appreciate it more now. I believe this is actually a part of St. Mary's Abbey and is still on the site in which it was originally built—now the museum basement. There are several features of the Abbey including arcades, floor tiles, and a warming room still visible in the basement. The museum was just built on top. (Click on this link for the St. Mary's archived post)


And, finally, the English:
The famous Middleham Jewel from 1460. Found by a metal detectorist buried beside a public bridleway near Middleham Castle, it was first sold at auction for £1.3 million and then the Yorkshire Museum raised £2.3 million to buy it for their collection. (Click on this link for our visit to Middleham Castle) Made of gold with a 10+ carat sapphire, it's very striking and looks brand new. It's thought that the locket was a religious reliquary and, judging by the Latin inscription, was meant to protect from "falling sickness" or epilepsy. The front has an engraving of the Trinity.


The back has an engraving of a Nativity scene.


Free for residents, this museum is interesting. As a paying tourist, I don't think it's worth it unless you have an extreme passion for museums or have just never seen stuff like this in person. It might be a little better for kids, but doesn't hold a candle to the British Museum.