Jewellery worn in Viking York ranged from mass-produced low-cost items such as lead buckles and brooches to gold earrings and glass beads decorated with gold leaf. Necklaces were made of amber, jet and glass beads, and garments were held together by bone and copper alloy pins. We have recovered many objects which are remarkably well preserved. These include pieces of cloth, ornately decorated belts and scabbards, knives and decorated antler combs. Two particularly rare finds are a woollen sock, knitted on a single needle (nålebinding), and a woman’s silk cap.

A 10th century woollen sock

Viking jewellery