16-A |
Clothing, weapons and other items were made using materials found in nature. Most were gathered locally, while some were imported.
Which of these cannot be found in the natural landscape in and around Steinkjer?
What was used for making fire, clothing, weapons, tools or jewellery?
16-B |
How did they do it?
16–B–1
Braiding
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–2
Flint and fire steel
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–3
Handheld spindle
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–4
Stonemasonry
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–5
Sewing
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–6
Weaving
Stiklastadir medieval farm
16–B–7
Flintknapping
Flintsmith Morten Kutchera
16-C |
Hoof fungus
• perennial fungus which grows on broadleaf trees
• can be made into tinder
• used for catching sparks when striking flint against fire steel
16-D |
Iron
• produced from local bog iron
• durable metal used for tools, weapons and fire steel
• important trade good distributed throughout Europe
16-E |
Flint
• rock that produces sparks when struck against iron
• suited for making sharp-edged tools like daggers and arrowheads
• imported from Denmark, among other places
16-F |
Quartz
• used in tools like daggers, axes and arrowheads
• lesser quality than flint, but more abundant
• collected and placed in burial mounds in the Bronze and Iron Ages
16-G |
Soapstone
• soft local rock type
• easily shaped into casting moulds and spindle whorls
• heat resistance makes it suitable for cooking pots and pans
16-H |
Bronze
• made from tin and copper
• imported as raw material or finished items
• used in tools, weapons and ornaments
16-I |
Silver
• imported from Arab regions, among other places
• commonly used in jewellery and ornaments during the Viking Age
• often imported as coins and then repurposed in jewellery
16-J |
Beeswax
• produced by honeybees when making honeycombs
• used to make casting moulds for metal objects
• was imported
16-K |
Amber
• fossilized resin from trees like pine and oak
• valuable material used in jewellery
•imported from the Baltic Sea region, among other places
16-L |
Glass
• made from melted sand which is then slowly cooled
• used for making exclusive drinking glasses
• often used to make coloured beads for jewellery
16-M |
Timber
• used for making boats, houses, tools and a number of other things
• sometimes heavily harvested, resulting in the deforestation of entire areas
• important fuel source for cooking, heating and iron production
16-N |
Birchbark
• the outer bark of the birch tree
• can be shaped and woven into baskets, cups and shoes
• used during funerals to collect the ash after cremation
16-O |
Wool
• spun into threads using a spindle
• woven into fabrics which could then be sewn to make clothing
• used in blankets, tent sheets and eventually sails
16-P |
Flax
• plant used to produce long fibres, which can also be spun into threads
• used for rope, clothing and other textiles
• grown locally
16-Q |
Fur (this is a pine marten tail)
• from wild animals of all sizes
• used to make blankets and clothing, and for lining winter clothes and shoes
• important trade good, exported to Europe by boat
16-R |
Hides and leather
• used for clothing, shoes and storage sacks
• from livestock and wild animals
• when processed (tanned) into leather, hides become more flexible and durable
16-S |
Antlers (this is from a reindeer)
• comes from deer, who shed their antlers once a year
• used to make combs and grips/handles for knives and swords
• exported both as raw material and finished objects
16-T |
Horns
• from sheep, goats and cattle
• used to make utensils and musical instruments
• also used for drinking cups, but then usually imported
16-U |
Whale bone
• processed into tools and ornamental objects
• used for weaving tools, whale bone plates and game pieces
• from local whaling activity, often depicted in petroglyphs
