Is hosting the olympics a good investment Essay

Is hosting the olympics a good investment - Essay Example The host city becomes the centre of world attention as hosting Olympics is a serious event and requires great responsibility. Not only this, it is a highly expensive event and the host city’s economy bears the entire burden. Hosting the Olympics is debatable and many analysts argue that it provides a great boost to the city’s economy. For example, it has been estimated that London has acquired a magnanimous economic boost with the total benefit reaching up to ?41 billion by 2020 (The Huffington Post, 2013). The city hosting the event gets a chance of promoting its tourism, promotes sports and as a result the economic conditions improve over the long-term basis. Although, being a part of the Olympics’ legacy is desired by many countries but with the benefits of hosting there are certain points which are debatable and questionable. Olympic events are considered to be beneficial to the host country but experts have highlighted that there are many drawbacks associate d with the hosting of these events which should be considered. Cities go to extreme lengths to earn the privilege of hosting the Games. One of the main reasons is that the host city wants to gain a sense of popularity amongst the masses. And most of the times, Olympic Games are hosted with internal agendas. For example, the London games were hosted with the intention of bringing back to life a relatively poor existence of the capital. The Beijing Games wanted to represent the China’s improving and flourishing organisational power and spending capacity. The Tokyo 2020 games intend to boost up Japan’s monotonous economic state. However, the cities have to realise that hosting Olympics is not the same as before. The London 1948 Olympics cost ?732,268 which is equivalent to ?20 million in today’s currency rate. The Beijing Games in current times have cost an approximate of $40 billion (T. W. 2013). Hence, it should be considered by the cities which are volunteering to host Olympics, quite enthusiastically, that the trends of Olympic business has changed now. It is considered that hosting Olympics will bring a turbo-charge to the city’s economy. However an in-depth analysis reveals that this is not entirely true. Researchers have not been able to find a positive correlation between the Games and economic improvement. The city’s developers and local construction companies might benefit because of the new improvements made in the infrastructure. Moreover, the cost usually turns out to be more than it was actually bid in the first place. London bid $4-6 billion and the Games turned out to cost three times more than that amount. Recent studies also revealed that every Olympic Games between the time periods of 1960 to 2012 turned out to be more costly than planned (Fenno, 2013). The estimate of $1.6 billion made by Athens was overrun by an actual price of $16 billion. Beijing spent $40 billion. Many cities are also left in debt rather than achieving an improvement in their economies (Fenno, 2013). Olympics Games are supported by the construction of many new infrastructures which become useless or lose their worth after the Games. Many venues which were constructed in Athens and Beijing for the purpose of Olympic adventures are now propped up without any public use or support. Various specialized venues have to be built such as for mountain biking, Slalom kayaking, beach volleyball and shooting ranges (Fenno, 2013). Twenty one out of the 33 stadiums, sport halls, arenas and

The importance of Early Childhood professions Essay

The importance of Early Childhood professions - Essay Example Century-old studies of psychologists and researchers and theorists like Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget, served as catalysts to the evolution of professions that specifically cater to the needs of infants, toddlers and young children. In addition to the rise in the demand of professionals in childhood settings, there have been trainings and programs that were designed to meet the needs of such professionals in order to perform their jobs well. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is one of the organizations that cater to the needs of individuals seeking to be in an early childhood profession. It has seen the necessity of training children as early as infancy and has gathered people with a passion to reach out to parents and children. Its main objectives are to facilitate professional development of individuals working for and with young children of zero to eight years and to improve public understanding and support for high quality early ch ildhood programs (naeyc.org, 1993). For this reason, there arose a number of programs that were improved as the years passed, to adjust to the changing needs of families and children. Whether the programs offered were established by private or government entities, the main goal had been to provide quality assured services to both parents and children in the crucial learning stages of the children. Child care, a job understandably from the name itself, involves a professional in the care of children. This job often requires a full day schedule that is synchronized with the parents’ working schedules to enable them to do their own jobs. Facility licensures are given to child care centers, provided by state departments of human services as the regulating body. Following the requirements, centers should prepare their staff and qualify them through trainings on how to handle clients. However, since child care takes just common sense to perform one’s job, the trainings are n ot strictly implemented. Rather, applicants with no previous experience are hired and learn important lessons as they work from day to day. Nevertheless, institutions should have the initiative to hire trained staff or train their own employees to further the quality of their services. This will not only satisfy clients but will also make a lasting impression that could make the institution last. Ellen Frede emphasized the result of studies that have found that staff members with more formal schooling or specialized training are more attentive and nurturing in their behavior toward children (1995), which is sought by most parents. In the case of family child care homes, registration as required by law should be followed (naeyc.org). Child caregivers basically attend to he basic needs of the children. For instance, they should feed and let them rest at the right time. Bathing and clothing the children can also be a part of their duties and responsibilities when the circumstances dema nd so. During waking hours, it is the responsibility of the child care provider to ensure the child’s security especially during play. Another profession to look at in this particular setting is the early childhood education (ECE). It is assumed to promote children’s social and educational development. This program is not like the child care program which requires a full d

Improving Tissue Support- Altered Cast Technique

Improving Tissue Support- Altered Cast Technique ABSTRACT Aim: Cast partial denture made using altered cast technique creates an environment in which the teeth and the edentulous tissues support the denture bases as compatible as possible, resulting in a more stable cast partial denture. Background: The tissues of the edentulous ridge in distal extension removable partial denture are liable to be displaced under occlusal pressure. This is a result of the displaceability of the mucosa. The difference between the resiliency of the residual ridge tissues and the teeth causes disparity of support, that causes the denture to rotate about its distal abutment, inducing heavy tortional stresses on the teeth and possible traumatisation of alveolar ridge. Studies have proved that better support and stability can be achieved in distal extension cases using functional impression along with altered cast technique. Case description: The following article is a case report of a distal extension cast partial denture using altered cast technique for better tissue adaptability and stress distribution. Conclusion: For recording Kennedy’s class I and II edentulous areas, optimum residual ridge coverage with a well fitting denture base is required. This reduces stresses, preserving the remaining supporting structures which can be achieved with the use of altered cast technique. Clinical significance: The altered cast technique allows the residual alveolar ridge to be recorded in functional form and relates to the teeth so that when the prosthesis is seated, it derives support simultaneously from the teeth and the soft tissues. Keywords: distal extension, stress distribution, functional impression, altered cast technique. BACKGROUND: The most important consideration in replacement of missing teeth for a distal extension removable partial denture as per DeVan’s statement must be â€Å"the perpetual preservation of that which remains, and not the meticulous replacement of that which has been lost.†1-4. When occlusal forces are applied to distal extension removable partial dentures, the forces must be distributed equally to the abutments and the tissues of the residual ridge.2 This cannot be accomplished on a master cast made from a single impression. A dual impression technique is used in which a â€Å"corrected cast† can be generated which can record and relate the tissues under uniform loading, distribute the load over as large an area as possible and accurately delineate the peripheral extent of the denture base.2 Functional impressions are defined as â€Å"The impression which records the form of the residual alveolar ridge under some loading whether by occlusal loading, finger loading, specially designed individual tray or consistency of recording medium.†5 Several methods may be used for registering the alveolar mucosa in its supporting form. The dual impression techniques are categorised as 1). Physiologic impression techniques. a). McLean-Hindel method, b). The functional reline method, c). The fluid wax method. 2). Selective pressure techniques.2 According to Leupold6 , the functional reline method is accomplished after the denture base has been processed onto the framework. The disadvantage being it requires a greater degree of occlusal adjustment after processing of acrylic resin and so it is necessary to modify the new denture before delivering it to the patient.6 So to overcome this the master cast is altered to accommodate the secondary impression and thus altered /corrected cast is generated.2,6. Cast partial denture made using the altered cast technique helps create an environment in which the teeth and the edentulous tissues support the base as compatibly as possible resulting in a more stable denture that improves the support for the occlusal relationship of the opposing dentition and the removable partial denture restoration.2,3. For preservation of the residual ridge, Becker and his colleagues, critically reviewed the evolution of removable partial denture and outlined six principles for its design which include a rigid major connector, multiple positive rest seats, mesial rests, parallel guide planes, the I-bar clasp design and the altered cast technique.7 This technique has the potential benefits of reducing the number of postoperative visits, preserving the residual ridges, improving stress distribution, decreasing food impaction and decreasing the torquing of abutment teeth leading to increased patient satisfaction.8-11. The following case report will explain the use of altered cast technique used in the fabrication of a distal extension cast partial denture. CASE DISCRIPTION: A 60 year old male patient reported to the Department of Prosthodontics Dr. D.Y.Patil Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai with the chief complaint of missing teeth and difficulty in eating. Extra-oral examination revealed that the patient had an ovoid tapered face, with mild prognathism, competent and thick lips. Patient had a habit of cigarette smoking since 20 years and so was advised to stop the habit. Intraoral examination revealed that there was only one tooth 23 remaining in the maxillary arch and 31,32,33,41,42,43 in the mandibular arch. The teeth were lost due to caries and periodontitis. (fig.1,2) Radiographs were evaluated and the treatment was planned. Tooth supported overdenture for maxillary arch and cast partial denture for mandibular arch was planned. Diagnostic impressions were made in irreversible hydrocolloid (Imprint, DPI). The impressions were poured using dental stone (type III, kalrock) and casts were procured. For the maxillary arch, the canine was endodontically treated. Pattern resin (DPI) was then used to make a Thimble-shaped coping for the canine which will help in additional retention of the maxillary denture. Primary impression was made using irreversible hydrocolloid (Imprint, DPI) and custom tray was made. The coping was then cemented with zinc phosphate cement (Dentsply). Border moulding was done with low fusing compound (greenstick, DPI) and wash impression was made using polyether impression material (3M ESPE). Master cast was poured in dental stone (type III, kalrock). For the mandibular arch, Diagnostic cast were surveyed and cast partial framework design was planned. The design included Lingual Plate as the Major Connector, Modified Ladder shapped minor connector. RPI system was planned for the rests and guide planes on 33 and 43. Mouth preparation was done which included the preparations of rest seats on 33 and 43, guide planes on distal of canines. Composite build up on the mandibular anterior teeth was done for better anterior giudance. Impression was made in a custom tray using medium bodied polyether impression material (3M ESPE) and master cast was poured using dental stone (type III, kalrock). Cast partial denture framework was fabricated on the master cast. The cast partial denture framework was checked on the master cast and in the patient’s mouth for the fit. (fig.3,4). The cast partial framework was used as a part of the custom tray for recording the functional impression. Spacer wax (DPI) was adapted on the saddle area of the framework and acrylic custom tray was made using Self cure acrylic resin material (DPI). The custom tray was checked in the patient’s mouth for correct extension. Border moulding was done using low fusing impression compound (green stick, DPI). Spacer wax was removed to provide space for the wash impression material. Tray was coated with a layer of adhesives so that the elastomeric impression material adheres to it. Wash impression made using polyether impression material (3M, ESPE). The master cast was sectioned into 3 pieces with the help of a hand saw and the distal edentulous area was removed. (fig.5). The wash impression made on the framework was placed on the sectioned master cast making sure that it seats completely in the rest seat areas. (fig 6). The entire assembly was sealed using utility wax to prevent its dislogement or movement during pouring of the cast. Beading and boxing was done around the framework and sectioned master cast and the impression was poured using a different coloured dental stone (type IV, kalrock) to distinguish with distal extension areas. The cast thus obtained was the altered cast. (fig.7). Jaw relation was recorded and teeth arrangement was done. Try in of the maxillary and mandibular trial dentures was done and dentures were fabricated using Heat cure acrylic resin (Leucitone,Dentsply). At the denture insertion stage dentures were checked in the mouth for retention and stability. (fig. 9,10). Post insertion instructions were given and follow up at the interval of 1month and 3 months was done. DISCUSSION: The fabrication of distal extension partial denture is a difficult task since it involves taking support from both the tissues and the teeth. Both of them have different amount of movements when forces of mastication are applied to them. Thus, the use of special impression techniques becomes necessary. However, in some cases, soft tissue displacement is slight. As a result, the functional and anatomic contours of the ridge may be virtually identical. However, that was not in this case. The decision to use dual impression technique along with altered cast technique was determined in the beginning using a test. Here, first the acrylic denture base was made on the diagnostic cast and placed in the mouth and finger pressure was applied to the base. There was some amount of lift seen in the framework suggesting that there was some soft tissue displacement. So by using the dual impression technique we can get a precise and functionally formed denture border and seal.2,3,7,8. The dual impre ssion used is indicated for mandibular distal extension cases because of a limited ridge area, the mobility of the floor of the mouth, to record the stress bearing area and proper peripheral extension.2 There are two categories of dual impression techniques mainly the physiologic impression techniques and selective pressure techniques. Physiologic impression techniques record the tissues of the residual ridge in its functional form by placing an occlusal load on the impression tray during impression procedures. The methods are the McLean-Hindels method; the functional reline method; and the fluid wax method.2 The need for physiologic impressions was first proposed by McLean and others. He recorded the tissues of the residual ridge in a functional form and the remaining teeth in anatomic form. However the disadvantage of this technique being that the dentists could not produce the same functional displacement generated by occlusal forces because of design of tray being used.2,12 In response to this shortcoming, Hindel developed his impression procedure by modifying the tray as a result of which the finished impression was a reproduction of the anatomic surface of the ridge and the surfaces of the teeth. Disadvantage being that the tissues recorded in this technique continue to be in a functional form all the time. This results in compromised blood flow with adverse soft tissue reaction and resorption of the underlying bone. Also sometimes because of this there is presence of premature contacts of the teeth replaced which will not be acceptable to the patients.2,13,14 The Functional Reline technique and the Fluid wax method where fabrication of the distal extension denture is done before and the new surface is added to the intaglio of the denture base afterwards. It can be done in cases where the denture becomes loose. However, as in the earlier methods this method too, has some difficulties mainly, the problems caused by failure to maintain the correct relationship between the framework and the abutment teeth during impression making procedure and also failure in achieving accurate occlusal contact following the reline procedure.1,2,3,15. To overcome this, along with this method corrected cast procedure was used yielding a better result.1,2,3,9,10,15 In the mentioned case report we have made use of the altered cast technique along with selective pressure impression procedure. The main advantage of this procedure is that the framework was ready before we make the final impression and alter the master cast. So the adaptation of the framework to the teeth and the soft tissues doesn’t change after the final impression. Also the other advantages are, 1. Remarkable stability of the denture base in distal extension removable partial dentures. 2. A positive occlusion which will be maintained for long periods of time. 3. Reduced stress on abutment teeth from unfavorable forces. 4. Reduced numbers of post-insertion adjustments.2,7,10 CONLCUSION: Fabrication of a cast partial denture for mandibular distal extension class I cases is a challenge for the prosthodontist. Several functional methods have been proposed for recording the edentulous area and the abutment teeth. An altered cast technique for fabricating cast partial denture was used in the above article. This impression technique helps in registering and co-relating tissues of different resiliency. This improves the stability and support of the denture, resulting in optimal load distribution. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An altered cast technique is a way better and faster as compared to other techniques. In this technique the cast partial framework is kept ready before the recording of functional impression. Because of the correct fit of the cast partial framework this technique helps in recording the hard and soft tissues in a better way. Thus, it can be routinely utilized for the recording of distal extension area. 1

Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero and Lord Byron’s Writing Styles Ess

A Journal Analyzing the Byronic Hero, Those who Closely Resemble the Hero, Byron’s Writing Styles and Literary Criticism (Journal entry 1, Defining the Byronic Hero) The Byronic Hero is a term derived from the poetic narrative, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, by Lord Byron. Though the idea of the Byronic Hero originated with the creation of Byron’s characters, Byron himself possessed the physical features associated with the Byronic Hero. These features include dark brooding eyes, dark hair, pale skin and a slender frame. The Byronic hero derived from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, strays away from the typical â€Å"hero† role by possessing dual characteristics of good as well as evil, â€Å"And had been glorious in another day: but one sad losel soils a name for aye†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Byron,C.H.181). The Byronic Hero is usually defined by his voluntary isolation from the normal institutions of society, â€Å"Self-exiled Harold wanders forth again, with nought of hope left, but with less of gloom†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Byron,C.H.211). He also represses his passions creating an unrequited obsession when, â€Å"He bids t o sober joy that here sojourns: nought interrupts the riot, though in lieu of true devotion monkish incense burns†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and â€Å"had buried long his hopes, no more to rise: pleasure’s pall’d victim! Life-abhorring gloom.†(Byron,C.H. 193) In these remarks, the Hero prefers to bask in sorrow for a love lost or never attained than to pursue the object of his desire. The Byronic Hero prides himself on his intellectual ability because his intelligence eclipses that of the average man. â€Å"But soon he knew himself the most unfit of men to herd with man; with whom he held little in common; untaught to submit his thoughts to others, though his soul was quell’d in his you... ...the confines of society. The Superhero further evades societal restrictions by masking himself and keeping his identity a mystery. This mystery distinguishes the Hero from others and places him into the Byronic realm where the dark figure retreats to solitude. Unlike the Byronic Hero described in Byron’s poetry the new Superhero has a dual conscience that allows him to reside outside of societal foundations while working to uphold the society’s values. Works Cited Lauter, Paul, ed. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Boston: New York 2002. Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Interpretations. New Have: New York 1987. Leone, Bruno, ed.Readings on Edgar Allan Poe. San Diego: CA 1998. Page, Frederick, ed. Byron Poetical Works. Oxford: New York 1970. Bloom, Harold, ed. Modern Critical Views George Gordon, Lord Byron. New Haven: New York 1986.

Where Is the Diversity in America Today

The dream of a diverse America has to be one of the most fundamental philosophies on which our country has been built. From the first group of pilgrims that landed at Plymouth Rock, to the thousands that immigrate to America every year, they all still believe in the same dream that the pilgrims had when they came to America. The Dream that no matter what their racial, religious, or social background and beliefs are they can find wealth and happiness in America. This philosophy was so important that our Founding Fathers had to mention it in the Constitution. Yet nearly two and half centuries later where is that diversity in America today? It seems that even with the population of America at over 300 million today we are still like the first groups of Pilgrims, content to stay within our own little groups. As a conscious America we talk a good game, however when we go home at night our subconscious takes over, and we retreat into that comfort zone within our group. American’s should admit that they really don’t care about anyone else except themselves. They should stop pretending that they do, unless they can actually live by the example that our conscious mind has us profess. According to the 2000 Census report the composite of races in America today are basically 75% White, 12. 3% Black, 12. 5% Hispanic or Latino, with Native Americans and other races making up the rest of our population. One can see from these numbers that it would be very easy to segregate into racial groups and to live within one group. The Columbia Encyclopedia’s unsigned essay on race which happens to be titled Race points out how we classify groups strictly by our physical characteristics and even argues that the term race is an inappropriate term; Race says that many physical anthropologists believe: â€Å"The term race is inappropriate when applied to national, religious, geographic, linguistic or ethnic groups, nor can the biological criteria of race be equated with any mental characteristics such as intelligence, personality, or character. (263). Still those social distinctions like living with your own race, having all your friends of the same race and background, and even maybe those who are only in the same tax bracket or educational level prevail in our society today, and is not only natural for people to gravitate towards a comfort zone that they find within themselves and their environment? The answer would have to be yes, this means certain social distinctions do in fact matter. There is Religion in America today, which may not be viewed as one of those important factors of our social make-up as it once was, but when we take a look at the population numbers which profess that Christians and of other religious beliefs are in the majority that make up Americans today; we do have to admit it does play an important role. Probably not as much as in Europe or in some other countries, but Religion is an important factor none the less. According to the U. S. Census Bureau we have an adult population of: approximately 207 million, approximately 159 million are Christians, approximately 8 million in other religions, and approximately 29 million who believe in something other than a specified religion. With this data we can see that the majority of America’s social make-up is indeed Christian. This provides the American culture with very specific views and customs. Since religion is one of those fundamental beliefs that founded our country it is easy to see how it becomes a major factor in determining how we act and live in our society today. The facts are that your social background can predetermine your future. David Brooks, a senior editor for The Weekly Standard and who publishes frequently in Atlantic Monthly, Newsweek, and The New York Times, says it best in one of his essays People Like Us, when he says: â€Å"Human beings are capable of drawing amazingly subtle social distinctions and then shaping their lives around them. (253). Truly we shape our lives based on our environment and our beliefs that are familiar to us and we are raised within. That is why people tend to stay with their own group based on the color of their skin, religious beliefs, and social background. We see it everyday in our conscious life, where we go to work, school, shop, or relax. All these are influenced by those subtle social distinctions that make up our lives. Bringing all of these facts together, we can only conclude that man is a driven being. One driven by his environment, and that just by the luck of the social economic environment they were born into predetermines for the most part where they will live, work, and also which religion they will choose to follow. We can almost go as far as to determine the tax bracket into which they will fall. So when is America going to wake and realize that the only way to find diversity is to come to some happy medium with our conscious and subconscious mind? Change that is not to dramatic, but change none the less, seems to be the only answer.

Vale of work hoard

Viking objects; found near Harrogate, Yorkshire On the surface, everything is idyllic †¦ imagine a broad green field in Yorkshire. In the distance rolling hills, woods and a light morning mist – it's the epitome of a peaceful, unchanging England. But scratch this surface – or more appropriately, wave a metal detector over it – and a very different England emerges, a land of violence and panic, not at all secure behind its defending sea, but terrifyingly vulnerable to invasion.And it was in a field like this, 1,100 years ago, that a frightened man buried great collection of silver, Jewellery and coins, that linked this part of England to what would then have seemed unimaginably distant parts of the world – to Russia, the Middle East and Asia. The man was a Viking, and this was his treasure. â€Å"Suddenly, a metal detector in a field in Harrogate uncovers this extraordinary treasure†¦ † (Michael Wood) â€Å"l crouched down in the soil and you could see the edge of a few coins sticking out of the top of it†¦ (Andrew Whelan) â€Å"There, packed in, are these hundreds of coins and these arm-rings, these pieces of silver. † (MW) put it in a sandwich box, wrapped it all up, and took it home. † (AW) â€Å"You're right there with this material, that can take you back to that tremendous moment in English history, when the kingdom of England was first created. † (MW) things you dream of, but you dont actually expect to happen. † (AW) This week we're sweeping across the vast expanse of Europe and Asia between the ninth and the thirteenth centuries.And once again we're not going to be focussed on the Mediterranean: we're dealing with two great arcs of trade – one that begins in Iraq and Afghanistan, ises north into Russia and ends here in Britain, and another in the south, spanning the Indian Ocean from Indonesia to Africa. The week's objects range from today's precious Viking treasure from Yorkshire to a few pottery fragments from a beach in Africa. Between them, they bring to life the travellers, the traders and the raiders who helped to shape this world.When you use the words â€Å"traders and raiders†, one group of people above all springs to mind: the Vikings. Vikings have always excited the European imagination and their reputation has fluctuated violently. In the ineteenth century, the British saw them as savage bad guys horn-helmeted rapers and looters. For the Scandinavians, of course, it was different: the Vikings there were the all-conquering heroes of Nordic legend. The Vikings then went through a stage of being seen by historians as rather civilised – more tradesmen and travellers than pillagers – in fact they became almost cuddly.This recent discovery of the Vale of York Hoard makes them seem a bit less cuddly and looks set to revive the aggressive Vikings of popular tradition, but now with a dash of cosmopolitan glamour. And the tru th, I think, is that that's what the Vikings have always been about: glitz with violence. The England ot the early was divided between territories occupied by the Vikings – most of the north and the east – while the south and the west were controlled by the great AngloSaxon kingdom of Wessex.The re-conquest of the Viking territories by the Anglo-Saxons was the great event of tenth-century Britain, and our treasure both pinpoints one tiny part of this national epic, and connects it to the immense world of Viking trade. The hoard was found in the winter of 2007. Here's ather and son, David and Andrew Whelan, who were metal-detecting in a field to the south of Harrogate, in north Yorkshire. â€Å"It was a typical dreary January day, in a muddy rough ploughed field.It was a field that we wouldn't normally go in because we're never really found anything good in there, we tend to find dozens of Victorian buttons, but it was either that or go home, so†¦ † (Andrew Whelan) â€Å"This time we were there about ten minutes and that's when I got my signal – the big one! I started finding lead at first. I dug down a bit more, and I kept going, and I get more lead, ore lead, and all of a sudden, this round thing fell into the bottom of the hole – came out from the side, so I'd actually Just missed it.It fell into the bottom of the hole and I thought, ‘Oh dear, I've found an old ball cock, I've got a lead cistern with an old ball cock'. So I picked this round thing up, and put it on top of the ploughed land, I put my glasses on, and I looked at it, and I could see all these animals on the cup, and all these bits of silver in the top. † (Dave Whelan) â€Å"l crouched down in the soil, and you could see the edge of a few coins sticking out of he top of it†¦ and there was a coin of Edward the Elder, I think†¦ on top. (Andrew Whelan) The hoard that David and Andrew Whelan had found was contained in this beautifully w orked silver bowl, about the size of a small melon. Astonishingly, it contained over 600 coins, all silver, and roughly the same size as a modern pound coin, but wafer thin. They're mostly from Anglo-Saxon territory, but there are also some Viking coins produced in York, as well as exotic imports from western Europe and Central Asia. Along with the coins was Jewellery: arm-rings – one gold and five silver ones.And then, there's the ingredient that makes it absolutely certain that this is not an Anglo-Saxon but a Viking hoard; there's what we call hack silver – chopped- up fragments of silver brooches and rings and thin silver bars, mostly about an inch (2. 5 cm) long, that the Vikings used as currency. The hoard pitches us into a key moment in the history of England, when an Anglo-Saxon King – Athelstan – at last defeated the Viking invaders and built the beginnings of the kingdom of England. Above all, it shows us the range of contacts enjoyed by the Vik ings while they were running northern England.These Scandinavians were tremendously well connected, as the historian Michael Wood makes clear: â€Å"There's a Viking arm-ring from Ireland, there's coins minted as far away as Samarkand and Afghanistan and Baghdad. And this gives you a sense of the reach of the age; these Viking kings and their agents and their trade routes spread across western Europe, Ireland, Scandinavia. You read Arab accounts of Viking slave dealers on the banks of the Caspian Sea; Gull the Russian – so-called because of his Russian hat, and he was Irish this guy, you know! dealing in slaves out there on the Caspian, nd those kind of trade routes; the river routes down to the Black Sea – through Novgorod and Kiev and these kind of places; you can see how in a very short time, coins mint ed in Samarkand, say, in 915, could end up in Yorks 2 hire in The Vale of York hoard makes it clear that Viking England did indeed operate on a transcontinental sca le. Here is a dirham from Samarkand, and there are other Islamic coins from central Asia. Like York, Kiev was a great Viking city, and there merchants from Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan traded their goods via Russia and the Baltic to the hole of northern Europe.In the process, the people around Kiev became very rich. An Arab merchant of the time describes them making neck-rings for their wives by melting down the gold and silver coins they'd amassed from trade: â€Å"Round her neck she wears gold or silver rings; when a man amasses 10,000 dirhams, he makes his wife one ring; when he has 20,000 he makes two†¦ and often a woman has many of these rings. † And, indeed, there's a fragment of one of these Russian rings in the hoard. Although Kiev and York were both Viking cities, contact between them would only very rarely ave been direct.Normally the trade route would be constructed through a series of relays, with spices and silver coins and Jewellery moving north, as amber and fur moved in the other direction, and at every stage there would be a profit. But this trade route also carried the dark side of the Vikings' reputation. All through eastern Europe, the Vikings captured people to sell as slaves in the great market of Kiev – which explains why in so many European languages the words for slave and Slav are to this day still so closely connected.But this hoard also tells us a great deal of what as happening back in York. There, the Vikings were becoming Christian but, as so often, the new converts were reluctant to abandon the symbols of their old religion – the Norse gods were not entirely dead. And so, on one coin minted at York around 920, we find the sword and name of the Christian St Peter, but intriguingly the ‘i' of Petri – Peter – is in the shape ofa hammer, the emblem of the old Norse god, Thor. It's a coin that shows us that the new faith uses the weapons of the old.We can be pretty certain that this treasur e was buried soon after 927. In that year, the AngloSaxon Athelstan, King of Wessex, finally defeated the Vikings, conquered York, and received the homage of rulers from Scotland and Wales. It was the biggest political event in Britain since the departure of the Romans. And the hoard contains one of the silver coins that Athelstan issued to celebrate it. On it, he gives himself a totally new title, never used before by any ruler: ‘Athelstan Rex totius Britanniae' – Athelstan, King of all Britain. The modern idea of a united Britain starts here.Here's Michael Wood again: â€Å"The wonderful thing about the treasure is that it hones in on the very oment that England was created as a kingdom and as a state. The early tenth century is the moment when these, what we might call ‘national identities', start to be used for the first time. And that's why all the later kings of the English, whether it was Normans or Plantagenets or Tudors, looked back to Athelstan as the f ounder of their kingdom. And in one sense you could say they go back to that moment in 927. † But it was a pretty messy moment, and the hoard demonstrates that the struggle between Viking and Anglo-Saxon wasn't yet over.The treasure certainly belonged to a ich and powerful Viking, but he must have stayed on in Yorkshire under the new regime, because some of the coins in his hoard were minted by Athelstan in York in 927 Something must then nave gone wrong tor our Viking, which led him to bury the hoard – but he did it so carefully that he must have intended to return. Was he killed in the ongoing skirmish between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons? Did he go back to Scandinavia, or on to Ireland? Whatever happened to 3 the treasure-owner, most of the Vikings in England stayed on and, in due course, were assimilated.In north-east England today, places with names ending in â€Å"by† and â€Å"thorpe† – like Grimsby and Cleethorpes – are living survivals t hat still speak of the long Viking presence. And the Vale of York Hoard reminds us that these places were also the end – or the beginning – of a huge trade route that around 900 stretched from Scunthorpe to Samarkand. In the next programme, we'll be on a different trade route, but one that also links the Middle East and northern Europe. We'll be in Poland, with a Christian saint and a miraculous glass†¦ that turned water into wine.