HISTORY enthusiasts will be able recreate the unique aromas of a Viking settlement in their own home in a pilot scheme using the world-famous smells developed for one of the region’s most popular visitor attraction.

Experts at York’s Jorvik Viking Centre have bottled eight of its famous smells – four pleasant scents and four of the least palatable aromas imaginable.

Damp forest, freshly-planed wood, incense and leather make up the fragrant ‘Jarl’ kit, while the foul smelling ‘Trrall’ kit consists of fish, tallow and candle wax, rotting meat and cesspit.

Sarah Maltby, director of attractions for York Archaeological Trust, said: “For over 30 years, the smells of Viking-age York have assailed the nostrils of visitors travelling around our recreation of 10th century Jorvik, but this is the first time we will enable people to experience these smells once they have left the attraction.

“You can recreate the ambience of a Viking forest, street trader or even a cesspit in whatever space you want – from a classroom to a domestic WC.

“The Viking man sat straining on the toilet is one of the best-known features of Jorvik Viking Centre, and the stench is unforgettable.”

The aroma packs are expected to be popular with anyone further afield who might not be able to visit Jorvik for themselves.

Sarah added: “The unique waterlogged nature of the soil around Coppergate meant that organic matter, including timber, leather and cloth which would normally rot away, was incredibly well preserved.

“Fortunately for us – but in an unpleasant twist for the archaeologists – this was also true of the rubbish pits where human and animal excrement, along with other waste would have been discarded. When these were excavated, the archaeologists experienced the full strength of a ‘fresh’ cesspit aroma.”

A limited edition of ten packs of smells will be created initially, with more being made available if successful.

  • All of the smells are used within Jorvik Viking Centre itself, which is open daily from 10am to 6pm. For more details, visit www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk