27 January 2026
Photo: Elisabeth Rosa Brusin
Collection management and conservation work are often invisible to museum visitors, at the same time they form a vital foundation for every exhibition. Lofotr Viking Museum is preparing for the opening of a new exhibition in December 2026. Because of this, important behind-the-scenes work is now underway. We want to ensure that the archaeological artefacts on display are well documented, well understood, and preserved for the future.
The museum’s conservators are currently reviewing all archaeological objects showcased in the exhibition. This is done in order to gain a comprehensive overview of the collection, and assess whether any objects require conservation treatment. Many of these artefacts are fragile and must therefore be handled with great care by trained specialists.
To support this work, objects conservator Ida Fløystad Brevig from UiT The Arctic University Museum in Tromsø visited the Lofotr Viking Museum this week. Over two intensive days, selected artefacts were carefully removed from their display cases and examined in detail. At the same time, exhibition coordinator Rebeca Franco Valle took the opportunity to photograph several of the artefacts. Helping to ensure they can be more easily identified in future exhibition work.
On Monday, several of the museum’s educators were invited to observe the work on the collection. This gave them a unique opportunity to see the objects up close. The same objects they convey to visitors on a daily basis when they tell about the Viking Age and the chieftain’s seat at Borg. The guides then had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the objects’ materials and state of preservation. Ida generously shared her expertise, which made the session both educational and inspiring.
This work emphasizes the importance of conservation. Both to preserve the museum’s collection, in addition to deepen the knowledge of those who bring the Viking Age to life for our guests.
We look forward to continuing the work on these items. And can’t wait to present them in a whole new light!
