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A new exhibition hitting York's JORVIK Viking Centre in May 2007 will be sure to cause a storm, as it delves into the historic 'melting pot' of York that was created by immigration and trade in Viking times.

The unique exhibition will bring together bio-scientific and artefact evidence to determine if visitors could have Viking ancestors. Using computer technology, a 3-dimensional walk-through Viking wharf scene, graphics and interactive activities visitors will be able to investigate:

• DNA and gene mapping using evidence generated by gene-related studies
• bone material unearthed by archaeologists and used to map genetic disorders, such as Dupuytren's disease (known as the Viking disease)
• an oxygen isotope analysis of Viking-age bones and teeth, used to determine where people originate from
• archaeological environmental evidence, used to reveal what people ate, where their food came from, and what levels of pollution existed in the city of York at the time
• Viking migration patterns and trading routes to determine if this affected who and what was brought into York, revealed in the biological remains
• the assimilation of language and the development of dialects
• a comparative study with immigration and the cultural mix in today's society, with on-line links to relevant web sites.

Sarah Maltby, Head of Attractions at the JORVIK Viking Centre, commented: "We're very excited about the new exhibition; it's a combination of modern technology and important Viking era evidence that really will bring the past to life for our visitors. We think it will be hugely popular with families who will be intrigued to investigate whether they have Viking ancestors!"

The exhibition will include tactile, audio, and smelling activities to ensure its widest appeal to visitors with disabilities and the very young. The exhibition will run from May 2007.

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For more information, please contact Matt Thompson at Harrison Cowley on 0870 606 0960, or email matt.thompson@harrisoncowley.com

JORVIK VIKING CENTRE - HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

Built on the very site where archaeologists found the remains of the original Viking city of Jorvik, the JORVIK Viking Centre in York offers visitors a unique opportunity to ride in a time-capsule and take a journey through the streets of AD975 Jorvik, a city as important in its day as London or Tokyo.

Everything here is based on fact, from the working craftsmen, the chattering noise of the gossiping neighbours to the smells of the cooking, the cesspit and the preserved 1000 year old Viking timber.

Passengers are transported through the Viking City of Jorvik, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells, for the most authentic taste of everyday Viking life.

Experience a blast of smoke as the capsule travels past the riverside and over the rooftops and filthy sewage-strewn streets, giving you an idea of the impressive size and scale of Jorvik as it was in the 10th century.

Travel through the busy Coppergate market place where virtually anything from Viking times can be bought or sold. Witness market traders go about their business noisily buying, selling and arguing over the range of goods on offer. Spy on Viking residents as they go about their daily lives; one unwell Viking is making use of his outdoor toilet - don't forget to hold your nose…the drains weren't particularly advanced in Viking times!

At the end of an unforgettable journey, visitors disembark at the JORVIK museum where they can see some of the fascinating Viking artefacts that were once buried under the centre, including a full Viking skeleton

And don't forget to visit DIG, the archaeological adventure attraction based at St Saviour's Church, York, which offers visitors the opportunity to take part in an excavation, discover genuine artefacts from ancient civilisations and also understand how archaeologists recreate the past. It is this type of investigation that enabled the archaeologists to reconstruct what life was like in Viking times at JORVIK - so now it's your time to try!

Question for competition:
How many Vikings will you see on the Jorvik Viking Centre ride?

Win your free family ticket to Jorvik Viking Centre and York's Attraction of the Year, DIG: An Archaeological Adventure

Recently Unearthed: Cemetery of Secrets
New exhibition at JORVIK Viking Centre

Artefacts Alive

Four Viking ghosts haunt the Artefacts Alive exhibition, providing first-hand descriptions of what life was like for people living in the ancient city. Visitors can listen to the accounts of characters from the meanest blacksmith in York, Grummi, to the cheerful and welcoming housewife, Drifa. The exhibition also has six new interactive multimedia installations, which enable visitors to investigate for themselves what everyday life was like in the year AD 975.