Shedding Light on Dark Ages
This exhibition looks at life in the period traditionally called the Dark Ages. That’s from when the Roman Army left Britain in AD 410 to the battle of Hastings in 1066. During this period, various peoples came to settle in Britain including the Angles, Saxons and Vikings. The period has sometimes been represented as an era of violent battles and dingy hovels. Whilst there were unpleasant aspects of life the people were not uncivilized, but skilled craftspeople who produced some beautiful artefacts and decorated even simple everyday items.
The idea of “Dark Ages” suggests that in the absence of much writing from the period, we are not enlightened about life at the time. This exhibition hopes to show just how much is known about these times, to reflect the craftwork of the period and to look at the legacy of these people right through to our modern age.
The Salt Museum also offers hands-on workshops for schools on Anglo-Saxon and Viking life.
