Discover how to make Viking metal crafts

The skills of the Vikings in addition to fighting can also include the creation of daily metal utensils for personal purposes.

Vikings are often associated with boat scenes and fiery battles. But new research published in the journal Archaeological Science and Anthropology shows that Vikings also had other skills.

In the process of casting metal objects they made technical advances, such as in the trading city of Ribe, Denmark in the 8th and 9th centuries, the Vikings made keys and decorative brooches. extremely sophisticated.

The researchers analyzed metal samples taken from various objects found in the city of Ribe, along with metalworking tools, crucibles, casting molds and metal slag samples.

They discovered that while the Vikings began making brass with experiments, they quickly standardized their production to use specific mixtures and alloys of the metal. They also apply more heat-resistant clay to the crucible and make extensive use of recycling throughout their work. 

Vana Orfanou, a postdoctoral research scientist with the European Research Commission (ERC) in the School of Archeology at University College Dublin, and lead author of the paper, and Science Friday’s Charles Bergquist discusses the art form of early Scandinavian brassmaking.