"Full Circle: First Contact - Vikings and Skraelings in Newfoundland and
Labrador."
 
This exhibit opens in June of 2000 in St. John's, Newfoundland.  It will travel
across Canada and to some venues in the United States.  The exhibit may continue
to Iceland and Scandinavia after the year 2002. Full Circle, a dynamic exhibit
developed by the Newfoundland Museum will be very exciting for many reasons.
 
The main focus of this exhibit will be contact between Vikings and Skraelings,
primarily in Newfoundland and Labrador around the year 1000 A.D.  The term
"Skraelings" comes from the Vinland Sagas where it refers to the Aboriginal
inhabitants whom the Vikings encountered.  This exhibit will have a very global
tone to it whereby humanity, after leaving Africa many years ago and scattering
in different directions, reunites for the first time in the Strait of Belle Isle
region.
 
The archaeology and history of L'Anse aux Meadows will be prominently featured,
along with stunning Viking artifacts made of gold, ivory, iron and wood from
museums in Scandinavia. The objects will be exhibited alongside intricately made
aboriginal artifacts made of bone, stone, ivory and wood from the Newfoundland
Museum collections and from other Canadian museums.  Viking Saga replicas and
aboriginal oral history will be presented using the latest multi-media
technology.  This presentation, complemented by the additional use of animators,
will create an exciting and dynamic exhibit atmosphere.
 
Some of the scholars developing our exhibit are:   Archaeologist Birgitta
Wallace, originally from Sweden, a specialist in Viking archaeology at L'Anse
aux Meadows;  Archaeologist Dr. Priscilla Renouf who specializes in prehistoric
Native archaeology in Newfoundland; and Dr. Gwynne Dyer, a writer and
international historian.
 
The exhibit has obtained support from the following organizations:  The
Millennium Bureau of Canada; The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
(Government of Newfoundland and Labrador); The Department of Canadian Heritage;
The Nordic Council of Ministers; Parks Canada; The Canadian Museum of
Civilization and UNESCO.
 
Full Circle will give L'Anse aux Meadows due recognition as the only known
Viking settlement in the New World with a multicultural prehistory before and
after the Vikings; a story that deserves to be told.  The rediscovery of L'Anse
aux Meadows,  its World Heritage status, and current issues of communication and
trade, will conclude the exhibit.
 
For further information you may contact the following people:
 
Kevin McAleese, Chair of the Curatorial Team
or
Valeri Pilgrim
Curatorial Research Assistant
Viking Millennium Exhibit
1 Crosbie Road
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1C 5R4
 
(709) 729-4408/4432 (Phone)
(709) 579-2067 (Fax)
 
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