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In This Month’s Newsletter

– Podcast: Islamic silver in a Viking treasure hoard

– Uzbekistan Trip

– Hands on Islamic Art: The Seminar

Podcast: Islamic Silver in a Viking Treasure Hoard with Dr. Jane Kershaw

In 2012, a group of amateur metal detectors discovered a hoard of late 9th century Viking silver in Bedale, North Yorkshire. The items found were ingots, necklaces, arm-bands, and a sword pommel. What makes this particular collection peculiar is that when the silver used to make the items was scientifically analysed it was discovered that it was from the Islamic world. Listen to the podcast to discover how this silver travelled so far and ended up in northern England.

Dr. Jane Kershaw is the Gad Rausing Associate Professor of Viking Age Archaeology at the University of Oxford. She is currently the Principal Investigator on an ERC funded project into the origins of the Viking Age through an interdisciplinary study of silver.

Last month’s trip to Uzbekistan

At the beginning of November several of our Trustees and 50 guests travelled to Uzbekistan at the heart of the Silk Roads to visit three of the region’s most historic cities: Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. Accompanied by two art historians we toured some of the country’s most impressive historic sites, enjoyed showcases of artisans at work, and were honoured to be shown around by the inaugural Bukhara Biennial by Artistic Director Diana Campbell.

The Barakat Trust runs trips every year and by participating you make a valuable contribution to the projects we fund.

For more information on future trips stay up-to-date with our social media and mailing list. Members travel at reduce rates.

Hands On Islamic Art: The Seminar

On the 7th November we gathered at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to celebrate and reflect on the end of our three-year Hands on Islamic Art programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Project leaders, heritage specialists, and members of the general public took part in panel discussions and presentations.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made the day a great success!