Treasures from the Viking Age (c. 800–1100) are regularly unearthed in the Baltic Sea region today, and it was no different in the past.

In 1834, a farm worker in south-eastern Norway discovered the Hoen Hoard, featuring items that highlight global connections in the early Middle Ages. Another hoard was brought to light on the island of Hiddensee in 1872–74. This consisted of gold jewellery of outstanding quality that had been crafted around the year 1000 for Danish royalty.

The discovery of these treasures sparked multifaceted processes of appropriation: Who gets to keep the “Viking gold”? Where will it be shown? Who identifies with this cultural heritage? Who rejects it? And how do these processes change over time?

This exhibition shows that both the appropriation of cultural heritage and its rejection are politically charged.