About
Step back into the Viking Age and discover the fascinating story of the Varafeldur, a remarkable woollen cloak that offered warmth and protection against the elements while also serving as a valuable trade commodity and symbol of status. Varafeldur: Weaving New Life into Archaeology explores the history, craftsmanship and cultural significance of these distinctive garments, bringing an ancient textile tradition vividly back to life.
Curated by textile artist and historical weaver Sarah Rosenthal Almirall of Ardbeag Crafts and Manx National Heritage, the exhibition combines archaeological discoveries with traditional weaving techniques. Drawing on rare textile fragments excavated from Viking graves in Iceland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, Sarah has painstakingly recreated cloaks that reveal the skill and ingenuity of their original makers.
Visitors can explore the journey from raw fleece to finished garment through displays of traditional tools, natural dyes and a reconstructed warp-weighted loom. Beautifully recreated cloaks offer a rare opportunity to see and touch history, while historical accounts and original storytelling illuminate the lives of those who made, wore and traded these extraordinary textiles.
An engaging, hands-on exhibition for all ages, Varafeldur invites visitors to experience the textures, traditions and stories of the Viking world. Blending archaeology, craftsmanship and imagination, it celebrates the enduring connection between people, materials and the past.
