Jorvik was the Viking name for York, England. York was founded as the Roman legionary fortress of Eburacum and revived as the Anglo-Saxon trading port of Eoforwic. It was first captured by Danish Vikings in 866 and became the capital of a kingdom. By c.1000 it had a population second only to London within the British Isles.

From 1976 the York Archaeological Trust conducted a five-year excavation in Coppergate, which uncovered incredibly well-preserved remains of Viking period timber buildings, together with artefacts of the time. The decision was taken to recreate the excavated part of Jorvik on the site, peopled with figures and sounds to bring it to life. The Jorvik Viking Centre opened in April 1984 and proved to be a major visitor attraction.

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