Yorkshire Museum

The York Helmet was found in May 1982 as builders prepared to start work on a new York shopping centre. It is one of only three complete examples from the Anglian period found in England. It is made of iron and copper alloy, dates to the second half of the 8th century and is stylistically Northumbrian. Yorkshire Museum. October 2010.

From St. Mary's Abbey, York. Yorkshire Museum. October 2010.

The Vale of York Viking Hoard includes 600 coins, complete ornaments, ingots (bars), and chopped-up fragments known as hack silver, and was discovered in North Yorkshire in January 2007. When it was found, all the objects were packed into a dirty silver cup with soil on top. The coins came from as far afield as Russia and Central Asia and many were in an incredibly good, polished condition due to being stored inside the cup. The Hoard was chosen by British Museum director Neal MacGregor as one of 100 Objects he would use to tell the History of the World. Yorkshire Museum. October 2010.

Hand-written deeds were the only true proof for ownership of land. Property grants from the nobility were confirmed through the issuing of charters. This charter written on vellum confirms grants of lands to St. Mary's Abbey from the King. It still bears its original seal. (1300-1399) St. Mary's Abbey, York. Yorkshire Museum. October 2010.

The Viking hoard was discovered in this cup. Yorkshire Museum. October 2010.

This life-size homage to the Roman God of War is thought to be the best example of a Roman statue ever found in Britain. The god of war was very popular with the Roman army and it's no surprise that it was found in York, with its legionary fortress and garrison of some 5,000 soldiers. Wearing full armour and carrying a sword and shield, the fourth century statue, like all Roman stonework, would have been painted and could well have appeared quite life-like. His feet are missing, it is likely they were left behind when he was pulled from his base. This was done quite carefully as there is no other damage. Perhaps his power still worried those who pulled down the temple. The statue was discovered in 1880 on or beneath Bar Convent, York along with three religious altars. It was donated to the Yorkshire Museum (then the Yorkshire Philosophical Society) by the Mother Superior. The altars were dedicated to Mars, the Mother Goddesses, and Veteris respectively. It was carved "with great dexterity" from local sandstone and may originally have come from the fortress at Eboracum. In the Yorkshire Museum, York.

Close up. In the Yorkshire Museum, York.

In the Yorkshire Museum, York.

Roman religion infiltrated every aspect of life. Houses had shrines to the household gods, the lares, whose role was to protect the home and bring good fortune to the family. The female spirits carved on this roof fitting were to give added protection. In the Yorkshire Museum, York.