By Kate Hawthorne, Staff Editor
The Franklin Institute, one of the most popular museums in Philadelphia, is home to many special exhibits that focus on fascinating topics that anyone can enjoy, from ancient Egypt to the science behind Pixar. The exhibit currently on display, “Vikings: Beyond the Legend,” will be particularly of interest for any history buffs or fans of “Thor” movies and comic books.
This exhibit features over 600 artifacts of varying shapes and sizes from the Viking Age. From jewelry and coins, to carved figurines and weaponry, there is a rich collection of archaeological artifacts to explore and examine. The engraving on each piece of metal ranging from a hunting horn to a dress pin is detailed and gorgeous.
The “piece de resistance” of this exhibit is the remains of the Roskilde 6, the longest Viking ship ever excavated. While only 25 percent of the ship has been preserved, the remaining pieces of wood are placed in a metal frame which depicts how big the ship would have been in its heyday. At a whopping 122 feet long, it takes up one entire side of the second exhibition hall. Archaeologists believed it was one of the warships of the royal fleet used by Cnut the Great to conquer Great Britain.
Tablets give a virtual rendering of what the ship would have looked like, as does a nearby screen showing a virtual video of what the boat might have looked like sailing through a storm on the open sea. There is also a little station near the end of the boat that allows the viewer to look more at the multitude of virtual renderings and animated videos of Viking longships created for this exhibit, along with one of a reenactment.
Interactive elements can be found everywhere, one of the major draws of this temporary exhibit. Stations set up around the exhibit include a costume picture station, a virtual game of Hnefatafl, (a Viking strategy game somewhat similar to chess), an interactive rowing setup, a game to gather resources to build a boat, a virtual excavation, and even a place where you can watch as words you type are translated into Elder Futhark runes. All of them are equally fun and entertaining for people of all ages.
Found all around the exhibit, labels with explanations of Viking culture are short and to the point, enhancing the visitors’ knowledge while giving fascinating tidbits about everything from warfare to witches. According to the Franklin Institute website, the archeological discoveries and explanatory boards “show the evolution of Vikings, providing a more accurate portrayal of them as skilled artisans, farmers, traders, and explorers who made a significant impact on our modern world.”
The end of the exhibit is a small room on spirituality including both Norse mythology and the new religion, Christianity. A large painted replica of a Jelling Stone, a massive carved runestone erected to celebrate the conquest of Denmark and the conversion of the Danes to Christianity, sits in the middle of the room for the viewer to circle, with it’s bright red, yellow, and blue paints.
The exhibit opened in late October 2018 and will remain open through March 3, 2019. While tickets are somewhat expensive at $20 to $35 per adult, it is an experience to remember. With its fresh perspective and its many immersive elements, “Vikings: Beyond the Legend” is a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon in Center City.
