The decoration on this sword is very similar to others found on runic stones.  Might it have been a runic spell for battle at sea?  Tell us more!
Image:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

Though there is no historical evidence, the sagas relate that the Vikings used a sun compass for navigation.  Convince us with a story. 
Image:  WGBH Educational Foundation

This kind of limestone tombstone is almost exclusive to Gotland in Sweden, and features mythological scenes.  What sea journey might they have embarked on, and what battle were they engaged in?  Tell us its story!
Image:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

The Íslendinga saga tells a marvellous tale, of a boat that was shipwrecked on a crossing from Norway to Iceland in the thirteenth century.  Four men managed to survive thirteen days by feeding off the walrus-hide tackle with butter, the only part of the ship that was salvaged.  Put us in the picture.
Image:  http://seajunk.com/cargo/pirate-ship-block-and-tackle-rigging/

This magnificent clothespin features a dragon's head and would have been dipped in gold or silver.  Create an intrigue around its creation, use, loss or trade.
Image:  MMB Exhibition:  "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

The Vikings dedicated a lot of time and effort to cramming and sealing the planks with moss or animal hair that was soaked in tar.  Yet the ships were also designed to be wonderfully flexible and elastic, and this meant that in rough seas they were particularly vulnerable to leaks.  Tell us more about those leaks.
Image:  www.thomasoneil.com/journeys/iceland.html

In early Icelandic law, boats featuring dragon head prows had to keep away from harbours, in case the terrifying head disturbed the peaceful land spirits, or landvaettir.  But let's say that one defied the law, sneaking into the harbour...and let's not stop there...you go on...
Image:  www.scandinaviancentre.org/munin/Photo.htm

Silver and gold plated bracelet, Ringerike style.  What kind of animal is this?  What kind of a woman would have worn it, and on what occasion?
Image:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

Seaworthiness varied greatly from ship to ship, as some were built from recycled or salvaged wood.  Skuldelev 5 was one such ship, which because of its shoddy construction also went by the name of "coffin ship."  Tell us a story of a reluctant carpenter charged with piecing together a ship he knows will be doomed.
Image:  MMB Exhibition "Beyond the Vikings"

The sea legends have much to say about sea voyages.  In Eiríks saga rauda, a ship crossing from Vinland to Greenland grew infested with seaworms.  On the same voyage, a fellow ship resisted, as it was coated with seal blubber tar.  The crew of the sinking ship drew lots, and those who could fit into the tarred boat scrambled aboard, leaving the crew in the seaworm boat to perish.  Tell us more.
Image:  http://tessaheywood.com/2011/10/

This ornate brooch is made out of bronze and garnet stone, and might have been inspired by Freya´s magic torc or necklace "Brigingamen".  Make it magic, and tell us all about it.
Image:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

Broken whalebone swords have been found in many female graves, though their use remains unclear.  One school of thought interprets them as a means for smoothing for linen - a primitive ironing board - and another aas a weaving device in a loom.  Share your interpretation with a story.
Image:  picasaweb.google.com

The Guardians of the Four Winds - Austri, Vestri, Sudri and Nordri - were thought of as divine entities that could take on many forms of birds or animals but also dragons and spirits.  They enjoy being invoked by those who have lost their way, and know the myriad paths between worlds, as well as most (but not all) paths within worlds.  Describe the apparition of one such wind to a Viking at sea.
Image:  www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/norse_ships.htm  

These Viking rings are an impressive lot and would have stood out on any finger.  What might rings have meant to the Vikings?  Would they have been associated with alliances, promises, magic even?  Tell us of an intrigue with a Viking ring.
Photo:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

In sea battles ships were tied together to create floating islands.  Describe an opposing crew trying to board the outermost ships, and the hand to hand fighting before cutting the ship loose and setting them adrift.
Image:  www.hurstwic.org/history /articles/manufacturing/text/norse_ships.htm

The World Ash Tree Yggdrasil was believed to be sentient, and could send messages through people.  This was a long and slow process, as well as a cryptic one, as the Tree's rhythm is very different from the human one.  Desribe the human experience of such a message, to a Viking setting out to sea.
Image:  http://celticartstudio.com/index.php?page=symbol&category=SYMBOLS&display=64

You could almost make out a boat in the centre of this beautiful cross, worn by a Viking Christian.  Tell us about the person who wore it, and if you can try and relate it to a ship.
Photo:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

Small boats manoeuvred their way around the battle, hunting down warriors who tried to save themselves by jumping overboard.  Describe your pursuit of one who got away.
Image:  www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/norse_ships.htm

Mani the compassionate moon god plays a flute as he walks, is patron of walkers and travellers and protector of children.  He is calm and thoughtful, and governs calendars, mathematics and rational thought.  He prefers a slower pace to his sister the sun goddess, as his chariot is drawn by large dogs instead of horses.  Before him rides Nott, a goddess on a black horse with dew dripping from its bit.  Mani is much more interested in the world of humans than his sister Sunna, and often stops and watches, sometimes even interfering.  If he lingers too long, the two wolf-brothers will chase him back to his path across the skies.  What might Mani be noticing about the Viking ship at night?  What happens?  Tell us more!
Image:  MMB Exhibition:  Beyond the Vikings

These coins formed part of a treasure, with coins that came from present-day England and Germany.  We know the Vikings traded as far as the Red Sea and possibly even present-day Afghanistan, but how did they consider coins?  Do these images tells us anything?  Can you?
Photo:  MMB Exhibition:  "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

Thanks to the shallow draft of their unique ships, the Vikings could sail far inland by navigating up rivers that were too shallow for seafarers.  Describe a small Frankish population, and what it would have meant to them to sight Vikings for the first time at dawn. 
Image:  www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/vikings_at_sea/

Sunna the beautiful sun goddess is tall and golden, and goes by the names of "All-Bright", "Everglow" and "Fair-Wheel."  She is innocent and enthusiastic, but can be capricious too.  She charges across the sky in her chariot with her two horses Allsvinn (All-Swift) and Arvaker (Early-Waker) who drag the sun behind them.  Daeg or Day rides ahead of Sunna, on a red-bay horse.  Describe a Viking's sense of the sun and Sunna at dawn, midday or at sunset.
Photo:  http://freya.theladyofthelabyrinth.com/?page_id=397

This pendant is nothing less than Thor's hammer.  It is thought that many Vikings took to wearing Thor's hammer as pendants in defiance of newly converted Christians and their square amulets.  Tell us a story of a Viking at sea with his weapon of the storm god that was identified with lightning.

Image:  MMB Exhibition:  "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"

What might that first crossing have been like?  Viking ships were completely open and offered no shelter.  Adventurers were exposed to the wind and rain, and had to sleep wherever they could, in most cases in a leather sack.  Provisions were down to a strict minimum:  the choice of food included dried, salted or smoked meat and fish; skin bags provided water and tubs sour milk or ale.  Tell us more from the point of view of an uninitiated traveller.  Image:  http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/what-special-about-viking-boats

Norse mythology relates that the god Odin made off with the god Loki's three sons.  When he threw one of them, Jörmungandr, into the ocean, he turned into a sea serpent.  Then he kept growing until he circled the World and grasped his own tail.  If he ever lets go, the World will end.  Tell a story involving the sea serpent.
Image:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin /393220611186461438/

This silver brooch comes from Skane in Sweden and is an example of the Ringerike style.  What can you see in its swirls?  A monster, a ship, the sea?  Bring them to life with a story!

Photo:  MMB Exhibition "Vikings:  Beyond the Legend"