Brown, wrinkled, lumpy and the size of a lemon this is one of several objects discovered in the excavation of the Gokstad Viking ship. Unlike some of the other wooden artefacts, this little cup did not preserve so well. It’s twisted hollow form is a reminder of just how difficult conservation of these objects can be.

The burial mound was excavated in the 1880s but someone else had been in long before and no jewellery or weapons were found. But the archaeologists did find kitchen equipment, the remains of 64 shields, six beds, one tent and a sledge as well as 12 horses, eight dogs, two goshawks and even two peacocks.

• https://www.vikingtidsmuseet.no/english/research/gjellestad-ship/gokstad-ship/