EXPORTING THE SUPERIOR CULTURE:

The centrepiece of the exhibition in Falmouth is not a dragon-headed Viking battleship but an altogether gentler looking replica of a trading ship - named Walrus - that would have plied coastal waters in the 11th century. It could carry up to five tons of cargo and sailed with a small crew of between five and eight men, sustained by buttery porridge bulked out with dried meat or fish. Broad and shallow, almost barge-like, it could easily be dragged up on to beaches.

One of the display cases shows a collection of items found on the shoreline of the Isle of Man, indicating that a Viking beach market was held there. Travelling craftspeople would have traded in bronze objects such as cloak and scarf pins. Also found there were coins from the Islamic caliphate that ruled most of north Africa and the Middle East, a reminder of how widely the Vikings travelled.

The exhibition points out that Viking women would also have traded at a beach market like this - a reminder that their society was in many ways more equal than the Christian-dominated societies that followed.

Evidence of women's presence was also found in a 76-acre Viking camp found in north Yorkshire dating back to the 9th century and represented in another display case. Williams is particularly excited about this exhibit as he believes it provides a missing link between temporary warrior war camps and the much larger, more permanent settlements that led to the creation of towns and cities, such as York.

This was a military camp - remains of weapons were found - but the discovery of weights and coins shows that trading was also taking place. "It suggests migration rather than simply an army resting here over winter," he said.

And as for grooming? A rather large and severe looking bone comb with iron rivets found in York and dating to the 9th or 10th centuries shows that the Vikings did try to look after their hair.

"Despite the popular image of Vikings as wild and shaggy looking, bone and antler combs are very common finds," said Williams. "We even know the name of one combmaker. A comb from Lincoln carries the inscription: 'Thorfastr makes a good comb." Toiletry sets for women and ear scoops to dig wax out have also been discovered.

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