14.3 The Lost Viking Capital LOST VIKING CAPITAL ‘Athousand years ago York was one ofthe largest, richest and most famous cities in the whole of Britain. A monk at that time described itas packed with ahuge population, rich merchandise, and traders rom all parts, especialy Danes’. People in the Toth century called it Jonik, and knew its the capita ofthe North of England, ‘and one of Europe's greatest trading ports. itowedits prosperity to the hard work and ‘commercial enterprise of Viking setters ‘om Seanginavia who had captured itn 2 866 and almost totaly rebut. Most othe citys buildings were made ot ‘wood, an have ong sinee been demolished, or have bumt down o rotted away. In some parts of modem York, however, near he rvers Ouse and Foss which run through the centre of the city, raeologists have found that remains of Srvik do stl survive, They are buried ‘eop Delow the strats and buildings ofthe 2oth century ety. Here the damp sais have preserved the timber buldings. Whole streets of houses, shops, workshops and warehouses are to be ound, often stil standing shoulder high. All |, te doris andubbsh et bythe pont of walle through th Viking Jorvi