For reference part 3
Oct. 10th, 2005 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stellar_muddlePart 3
Arts and Crafts
---------------
Aside from the sources listed below, those interested in Viking arts and
crafts should check the various large "coffee table" books concerning the
Vikings. These tend to have large, full-color photographs of Viking
artifacts, which can aid the craftsman as a guide to style, or encourage one
to reconstruct a pictured item.
* Bartholm, Lis. Scandinavian Folk Designs. Dover Design Library. New York:
Dover Publications. 1988. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486255786/thevikinganswerl
[This small book includes drawings and photos of designs in many media,
including weaving, carving, jewellry and more. There are Viking Age and
medieval examples included, although this book also includes later periods
as well. This book is useful mostly as a general source of inspiration to
craftsmen rather than as a "pattern book".]
* Chapman, Gillian. The Vikings. Crafts from the Past Series. Heinemann
Library. December 2000. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575724103/thevikinganswerl
[This book is slated for publication in December, 2000.]
* Hald, Margrethe. Primitive Shoes: An Archaeological-Ethnological Study
Based upon Shoe Finds from the Jutland Peninsula. Archaeological-Historical
Series I:13. Copenhagen: National Museum of Denmark. 1972.
[A very long title for a very good book. Hald discusses every shoe from the
Viking Age or earlier that has ever been dug up in Denmark. Most of the
shoes have not only photographs, but line drawings of what the shoe would
look like if it were laid out flat (a massive help in attempting to make
your own shoes). Hald also discusses (with pictures) similar shoes dug up
elsewhere in Scandinavia, plus more modern examples of similar shoes from
the various Scandinavian and Celtic countries, the Baltic area, and the
Faroe Islands. ]
* Hoffmann, Marta. The Warp-Weighted Loom: Studies in the History and
Technology of an Ancient Implement. Oslo: Univeritetsforlaget. 1964.
[A complete discussion of the Viking weaving process, including the parts of
the loom, warping, and weaving. Modern Faroese and Saami women who are still
using the same loom were used as the basis of this study, and their
technique is carefully explained both in the text and via numerous
photographs describing the weaving process. Also discusses period weaves and
fibers.]
* Kashammar, Marta. Skapa Med Halm. Halmstad, Sweden. Bokforlaget Spektra.
1985.
[This book is indeed written in Swedish. I have included it in this list as
it uses a minimum of text combined with copious clear diagrams and
photographs to illustrate the Scandinavian art of "Crafting with Straw" (the
literal translation of the title). Covers straw hats, baskets, Yule
ornaments, etc. Most university libraries have a Swedish-English dictionary,
which will help you deciper the text where necessary. I've found it easy and
useful to work from.]
* Kormaksdottir, Brynhildr. "Danzleikar: or, Egill Shakes a Leg."
Tournaments Illuminated 64 (1982):13-15.
[Dancing for Vikings and medieval Scandinavians, includes choreography, and
also words and music for "Ormen Lange", "Dvergemoy", and "Olafr Liljuros". ]
* Meehan, Aidan. Celtic Design: The Dragon and the Griffin -- The Viking
Impact. Thames & Hudson. 1995. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500277923/thevikinganswerl
[The artwork of the Vikings and of the Celts share many similarities -- both
cultures are Indo-European, and there was considerable intercourse between
the two peoples via warfare, trade, and settlement. This book takes a close
look at the stylistic differences between Celtic and Viking art, providing
valuable insights into the fine details that make each culture's art unique.
In general, Viking art is less formal and precise than similar Celtic works,
and often shows a greater energy and originality. Includes illustrations
that would be useful as designs for craftsmen.]
* Newall, Venetia. An Egg at Easter. Boston: Routledge and Kegan Paul. 1971.
[While this book's primary focus is on the folklore of the decorated egg, it
also covers the history of the decorated egg, designs and symbolism, as well
as techniques for decorating. There are lots of good color photos as well,
to help you create your own traditional eggs in the long-time Germanic
custom at Easter.]
* Nylen, Anna-Maja. Swedish Handicraft. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
1977.
[While this book concentrates on handicraft in Sweden from the Renaissance
to the present, many techniques have been used unchanged since the Viking
Age, making this volume's copious color illustrations a godsend for workers
in weaving, sprang, woodcrafts, horn and bone crafts etc. Excellent source
for craftsmen.]
* Rice, Patty C. Amber: the Golden Gem of the Ages. 2nd. ed. New York: The
Kosciuszko Foundation. 1987.
[As amber was particularly associated with the Scandinavian peoples, this is
an excellent book to have. Discusses the history of amber, its mythology,
plus everything one needs to know when purchasing amber, including
discriminating between true amber and its imitations.]
* Wilson, David M. and Ole Klindt-Jensen. Viking Art. 2nd ed. Boston: George
Allen & Unwin. 1980.
[Not only includes a discussion of the art-history of the Vikings, but also
includes 69 line drawings and 80 photographic plates showing details of
Viking design. A must for any craftsman, from calligrapher to jeweler to
leatherworker, etc.]
TOOLS
-----
* Arwidsson, Greta and Gosta Berg. The Mastermyr Find: A Viking Age Tool
Chest from Gotland. Stockholm: KVHAA/Almqvist & Wiksell. 1983.
* Slomann, Wencke and Arne Emil Christiansen. "The Aker Find: Facts,
Theories and Speculations." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen.
Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 173-190
[Discusses the use of punch tools in period.]
* Larsen, Erling Benner. "Tracing the tools by their traces: Identification
and documentation of tool traces - illustrated through punch-decorated
objects from the early Germanic Iron Age." Kuml 1982-1983. Arhus: Jysk
Arkaeologisk Selskub 1984. pp 169-179.
WOODWORKING AND CARVING
-----------------------
* Fridstrom, Erik. "The Viking Age Wood Carvers. Their Tools and
Techniques." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo:
Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 87-92.
* Fuglesang, Signe Horn. "Wood carving from Oslo and Trondheim and some
reflections on period styles." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa
70-ars-dagen. Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 93-108.
* Anderson, Aron. "Medieval Woodcarvings in Sweden." Safeguarding of
Medieval Altar Pieces and wood carvings in Churches and Museums. KVHAA
Konferenser 6. 1981. pp- 27-32.
* Lang, James T. Viking Age Decorated Wood. Medieval Dublin Excavations
1962-81 Series B1. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. 1988.
* Fuglesang, Signa Horn. "Woodcarvers - Professionals and Amateurs in
Eleventh Century Trondheim." Economic Aspects of the Viking Age. eds. David
Wilson and M.L. Caygill. British Museum Occasional Papers 30. London:
British Museum. 1981.
* Dahl, Sverri. "Forn barnaleiku i Foroyum." Mondul 3 (1979). pp. 3-13
[Article about ancient toys from the Faroe Islands.]
* Nilsson, Torvald. "Om medeltida sadeltacken." Kulturen. 1986. pp. 312-339.
[Discusses a carved and tooled leather sheet used as a saddlepad.]
* Werner, W.E. "Faltstuhl (A Folding Chair. In German.)" In: Reallexikon der
Germanischen Altertumskunde von Johannes Hoops 8/1-6 (Encyclopedia of
Germanic archaeology and history 8/1-6). eds. H. Beck. H. Jankuhn, Heiko
Steuer, D. Timpe, R. Wenskus. 2nd completely revised ed. Berlin/New/York: de
Gruyter: 1994.
BONE, IVORY, ANTLER
-------------------
* Bertelson, Reidar. "Decorated spoons of reindeer antler in Norwegian urban
and rural context." Archaeology and the urban Economy: Festschrift to
Asbjorn E. Herteig. Arkeologiske Skrifter 5. eds. Siri Myrvold et al.
Bergen: Historisk Museum Universitet i Bergen. 1989. pp. 245-254.
* Ambrosiani, Kristina. "Viking Age Combs, Combmaking, and Combmakers in the
Light of Finds from Birka and Ribe." Stockholm Studies in Archaeology 2.
1981. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9171461507/thevikinganswerl
* Hiruluoto, Anna-Liisa. "A bone spoon from Pirkkala." Iskos 9 (1990)
pp.87-91.
* Mageroy, Ellen M. "Abraham-hornet fra Island." Viking 49 (1946)
pp.235-247.
[Discusses a carved Icelandic drinking horn.]
* Heikkurinen-Montell, Tuula. "Bone artefacts." In: Vainionmaki - a
Merovingian period cemetery in Laitila, Finland [Varsinais-Suomi/Egentliga
Finland]. Paula Purhonen, ed. Helsinki: National Board of Antiquities: 1996.
Pg. 101.
[A description of fragments of a comb and an unidentified implement.]
* Smith, Beverley Ballin. "Reindeer antler combs at Howe: Contact between
Late Iron Age Orkney and Norway." UOArbok 1993-1994 (1995), pp 207-211.
[Four reindeer-antler combs at the broch settlement site at Howe indicate
that pre-Norse trade existed between Orkney and Norway as early as the late
6th/early 7th C.]
* Weber, Birthe. "Handel mellom Norge og Orknoyene for norron bosetning?
Reingevir som ramateriale i orknoyisk kamproduksjon (Trade between Norway
and Orkney prior to the Norse settlement? Reindeer antlers as raw material
in comb production in Orkney. In Norwegian.)" Nordsjoen (1996) pp 31-40.
[Based on osteological analyses of combs in Orkney, author claims that
reindeer antlers were included in an exchange system between Norw and the
Atlantic islands already in the 7th-8th C AD.]
* Weber, Birthe. "The identification of raw material in combs." UOArbok
1993-1994 (1995), pp 197-205.
[A presentation and discussion of methods. Analyses of 54 combs made
independently by Rolf Lie and Anne Karin Hufthammer show no great
discrepancy in the degree of possible identification between the inhumation
and cremation material. Reindeer antler is the predominant raw material in
Early IA combs, underlining the dimensions of espec. the Hardangervidda
hunt.]
* Skov, Hans. "Legemspleje (Care of the body. In Danish.)" Skalk 1995/4, pp
20-21.
[On a find in Arhus (Jylland) in 1994 of a well-preserved very special
asymmetric type of double-comb, probably of Norw origin and dated to the
middle of the 13th C.]
* Hoftun, Oddgeir. "Jernaldersamfunnets kvinnelighet (The feminity of Iron
Age society. In Norwegian.)" KAN. Kvinner i arkeologi i Norge 19-20, 1995,
pp 99-114.
[There is a connection in the Early Med between thoughts, hair, comb and
God, which may cast light on the qualities attached to combs in the
conceptual world of the pre-Christian society.]
* Swanstrom, Eric. "En medeltida kammakarverkstad pa Oster Klint i Visby? (A
Medieval comb-maker's workshop at Oster Klint in Visby? In Swedish.)" In:
Aktuellt [Gotland]. Gotlandskt arkiv 68, 1996. Pp. 210-212.
[An accumulation of bones is interpreted as waste from a comb-maker's
workshop. One of several short reports of investigations carried out on
Gotland 1995-1996.]
* Callmer, Johan. "Hantverksproduktion, samhallsforandringar och bebyggelse.
Iakttagelser fran ostra Sydskandinavien ca. 600-1100 e.Kr (Handicraft
production, social changes and settlement. Observations from the east of
southern Scandinavia AD 600-1100. Swedish with English summary.)" Produksjon
og samfunn (1995) pp 39-72.
* Roesdahl, Else. Hvalrostand, Elfenben og nordboerne i Gronland (Walrus
tusk, ivory and the Northmen in Greenland. In Danish.) C C Rafn forelasning
10. Odense: Odense universitetsforlag: 1995.
[The explosion in the use of walrus ivory c. 1000-1200 AD in Scandinavia, NW
Europe and Great Britain is discussed. It is argued that this ivory came
from Greenl, and that it was of central importance for the economy of the
Greenl Norse settlements. The decline and end of these settlements in the
14th-15th C is explained as a result of the declining demand for walrus
ivory in Europe, as elephant ivory became easily available.]
DRINKING VESSELS
----------------
* Borsheim, Ragnar L. "Jernalderens drikkeutstyr: fra romertid til
vikingetid i Vest-Norge. (The Iron Age drinking-equipment: from the Roman
Iron Age to the Viking Age in western Norway. In Norwegian.)" PhD
Dissertation, University of Bergen, Institute of Archaeology. Bergen:
Universitetet, Inst. for arkeologi: 1995.
* Holand, Ingegerd. Vessel Import to Norway in the First Millennium AD:
Composition and Context. PhD Thesis. London: University of London. 1996.
[More than 1,100 imported vessels in bronze, glass, wood, horn, clay and
silver from the first millennium AD are described and related to the status
of the farms involved, based on farm names and written sources. Of 538 farms
with imported vessels, c. 30-35% may be associated with pagan religious
activity, have early Christian churches, or other IA or Med centre
functions, while another 50% are close neighbours of such farms. A mere 15%
cannot be related to central farms at all, using the adopted methodology.
Vessel use is considered in relation to find context, gender association,
and possible social and religious practices. It is suggested that vessels
were imported mainly because of their symbolic and social and
social/religious meaning, and that their role as status markers was
secondary and dependent on this meaning.]
JEWELRY
-------
* Axboe, Morten. "Positive and negative versions in the making of
chipcarving ornaments." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen.
Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 31-42.
* Lonborg, Bjarne. "The method of production of Viking Age tortoise
brooches." Kuml 1991-1992. Arhus: I Kommission Hos Aarhus
Universitetsforlag. 1991-1992, pp. 151-164.
CERAMICS
--------
* Madsen, Hans Jorgen. "An Introduction to Danish Medieval Ceramics." In:
Ceramics and Trade. eds. Peter Davey and Richard Hodges. Sheffield:
University of Sheffield Department of Prehistory and Archaeology. 1983. pp.
187-190.
* Madsen, Per Kristian. "A survey of the research of Danish medieval
pottery." Medieval Ceramics 10 (1986) pp. 57-84
* Magnus, Bente, "The Interlace Motif on the bucket-shaped pottery of the
Migration Period." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo:
Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 139-157.
* Hulthen, Birgitta. "Some notes on ceramic production during the early Iron
Age." Studien zur Sachsenforschung 6 (1987) pp. 95-99.
* Klemensen, Marie Foged. "Production of highly decorated pottery in
Medieval Denmark". In: La ceramique tres decoree dans l'Europe du nord-ouest
(Xeme-XVeme siecles). Actes du Colloque de Douai (7-8 avril 1995), ed by
Daniel Piton. Berck-sur-mer: Musee de Berck-sur-mer: 1996. (Nord-ouest
archeologie 7). Pp 131-138.
[The article presents the known centres where lead glaze and varying types
of decoration have been used: the kiln-sites at Farum Lillevang (Sjalland),
Faurholm (Sjalland) and Kragelund (Jylland); waster finds from Ribe
(Jylland), Illerup Aadal (Jylland) and Svendborg (Fyn); a typologically
delimited group of jugs in and around Lund (Skane), and a widely distributed
group of so-called 'monk's face' jugs. (Cf NAA 1996/9F Klemensen:
Munkeansigter ...). The dating of most of the production indicates a period
between 1200 and 1400.]
* Back, Mattias. "Importkeramiken i Birka (The imported pottery in Birka
[Uppland]. Swedish with English summary.)" Meta 1995/1, pp 4-21.
TEXTILES
--------
* Tomantera, Leena. "Braid, weave, and 'foxtail'" Fenno Ugri et Slavi 1983:
Papers Presented by the Participants in the Soviet-Finnish Symposium' Trade,
Exchange and Culture Relations of the Peoples of Fennoscandia and Eastern
Europe' 3 May 1983. Helsinki: Suomen Muinaismuistoyhdistys-Finska Fornminnes
Foreningen. 1984. pp. 70-76.
* Pritchard, Frances. "Silk braids and textiles of the Viking Age from
Dublin." Archaeological Textiles. eds Lise Bender Jorgensen et al.
Copenhagen: Kobenhavens Universitet, Arkaeologick Institut 1988. pp.
149-161.
* Munksgaard, Elisabeth. "The Embroideries from Bjerringhoy,
Mammen."Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo: Universitets
Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 159-171.
* Fjellstrom, Phebe. "The Hla?: A Viking Hair Ornament." In Honorem Evert
Baudou. Archaeology and Environment 4. eds Margareta Backe et al. Umea,
Sweden: Universitet Avd for Arkeologi. 1985.
* Geijir, Agnes. "The Textile Finds from Birka." Cloth and Clothing in
Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold
Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London:
Pasold. 1983. pp. 80-99.
* Nockert, Margareta. "A Scandinavian Haberget?" Cloth and Clothing in
Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold
Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London:
Pasold. 1983. pp. 100-107
[Describes a semicircular cloak and gives pattern drafts for the
tablet-woven trim on the cloak.]
* Hagg, Inga. "Viking Women's Dress at Birka: A Reconstruction by
Archaeological Methods." Cloth and Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in
Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold Studies in Textile History 2.
eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 316-350.
* Hoffman, Marta. "Beds and Bedclothes in Medieval Norway." Cloth and
Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. CarusWilson.
Pasold Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G.Ponting.
London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 351-367.
* Turnau, Irena. "The Diffusion of Knitting in Medieval Europe." Cloth and
Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus
Wilson. Pasold Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G.
Ponting. London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 368-389.
* Cyrus Zetterstrom, Ulla. "A monochrome patterned silk fabric among the
finds from Birka." Opera Textila Variorum Temporum: To Honor Agnes Geijir on
her 90th Birthday 26 Oct 1988. Museum of National Antiquities 8. eds. Inger
Estham and Margarets Nockert. Stockholm: Museum of National Antiquities 1988
pp. 45-48.
* Estham, Inger. "A newly discovered intarsia and gold leather embroidery."
Opera Textila Variorum Temporum: To Honor Agnes Geijir on her 90th Birthday
26 Oct 1988. Museum of National Antiquities 8. eds. Inger Estham
andMargarets Nockert. Stockholm: Museum of National Antiquities 1988 pp.
93-110.
* Walton, Penelope. "Dyes and wools in textiles from Mammen." Mammen-Grav,
Kunst og Samfund i Vikingetid. Arhus: Aarjus Universitets forlag.1991. pp.
139-143.
* Waller, Jutta. Draktnalar och draktskick i ostra Malardalen. Kontinuitet
och forandring under folkvandringstid och vendeltid (Dress-pins and style of
dress in the eastern Malar Valley. Continuity and change during Migration
and Vendel periods. Swedish with English summary.) Uppsala: Universitetet,
Inst. for arkeologi: 1996. (Aun 23).
[A study of two types of dress-pins: the protuberant pin (Migration period)
and the polyhedral pin (Vendel period). Early and new finds of pins are set
in chronological relation to one another and to dating evidence from Helgo
(Uppland], the place of manufacture. Both types of pins were in use partly
at the same time, the protuberant pins late 5th and 6th C, whereas the
polyhedral pins came into use c. 50 years later. The two types belong to
different cultural spheres. The new style of dress with polyhedral pins and
a pair of brooches can testify to the origin of the Viking Age dress with
shoulder straps.]
* Mannering, Ulla. "Oldtidens brandenaldeklade - forsog med fremstilling af
brandenaldegarn. (Nettle cloth in antiquity - experiments in producing
nettle yarn from the Centre for Experimental Archaeology at Lejre, Denmark.
In Danish.)" In: Arkaologiske eksperimenter i Lejre (Archaeological
experiments at Lejre). Morten Meldgaard and Marianne Rasmussen, eds.
Copenhagen: Rhodos: 1996. Pp 73-80.
* Schjolberg, Ellen. "Neslens kulturhistorie (The culture history of the
nettle. In Norwegian)". Naturen 1996/6, pp 312-318.
[Through the ages nettle (Urtica) has been of importance as food for humans
and animals, for medicinal use and also in magic. Its use as a fibre plant
and in textile production has influenced most Indoeuropean languages, and is
archaeologically documented back to the Stone Age.]
* Fentz, Mytte. "Viking Age replicas in research and communication."
Textilsymposium Neumunster 1993, 1995. pp 95-107.
[Based on a Viking Age shirt from Viborg and a new Viking Age museum in
Aalborg, author discusses aspects of replica making. Though experimental
archaeology can be a valuable tool in research, replica making for exhibits
will entail difficulties when lack of originals forces us to compromise. The
ethical implications are discussed.]
* Krag, Anne Hedeager. "Reconstruction of a Viking magnate dress."
Textilsymposium Neumunster 1993, 1995, pp 114-119.
[Based on textile finds from Hedeby (Schleswig-Holstein), a Vik magnate
dress consisting of trousers, leggings, tunic and cloak is reconstructed in
red, blue and black.]
* Svensson, Eva. "Invisible handicrafts: the general picture of textile and
skin crafts in Scandinavian surveys". Lund Arch. Rev. 1995. pp 7-20.
LEATHER, HIDE AND FUR
---------------------
* Agren, Torbjorn. "Ett baverskinn var mer vart an en hel bjornfall (A
beaver's skin was more valuable than a bear's skin. In Swedish.)" Popular
arkeologi 1995/1, pp 14-16.
* Agren, Torbjorn. "Fur in Birka: an examination of hair residue on
penannular brooches". Laborativ arkeologi 8, 1995, pp 50-58.
HORSE EQUIPMENT
---------------
* Lyngstrom, Henriette. "Ketting - en vikingetidsgravplads med ryttergrave
(Ketting - a Viking Age cemetery with equestrian graves [Jylland]. Danish
with English summary.)" Aarboger 1993 (1995), pp 143-179.
[Publication of 30 inhumations from the 10th C, several of them with weapons
and 3 with horse gear. Technical analyses of stirrups, knives, and a sword
indicate extraction of local bog iron. A study of stirrups from 48 known
equestrian graves reveals several contemporaneous workshop traditions.]
* Kruger, Cordula. Die vendelzeitliche Pferdeaurustung in Schweden: unter
besonderer Berucksichtigung des Reitzubehors von Gotland im Vergleich mit
dem schwedischen Festland (The Vendel period horse trappings in Sweden: with
special reference to the riding equipment from Gotland in comparison to the
material from the Swedish mainland). Kiel: Christian-Albrechts-Universitat:
1995.
FOOD
----
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "The Ljunga bread - prehistoric bark bread? Inner bark
as a nutritive substance in the light of comparative evidence from written
records." Pact 50, 1995, pp 385-398.
[Evidence for Viking Age bark breads.]
* Isaksson, Sven. "Cooking pits in the light of lipid analysis". In:
Proceedings from the 6th Nordic Conference on the Application of Scientific
Methods in Archaeology, Esbjerg 1993. (Arkaologiske rapporter 1). Esbjerg:
Esbjerg museum: 1996. Pp. 139-152.
[Other features such as storage or refuse pits should also be examined.]
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "Bread in Birka and on Bjorko [Uppland]". Laborativ
arkeologi 9, 1996, pp 61-78.
[On bread deposits in the cremation graves in Birka and from Ormknos
cemeteries on Bjorko. Methods used to establish the original number of
loaves as well as their size and morphology are discussed. It is also
discussed whether the bread was baked in individual households or in a town
bakery. Aspects of distribution and the symbolic function of the grave bread
are presented.]
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "Finds of hops, Humulus lupulus L., in the Black Earth
at Birka [Uppland], Sweden". In: Proceedings from the 6th Nordic Conference
on the Application of Scientific Methods in Archaeology, Esbjerg 1993.
(Arkaologiske rapporter 1). Esbjerg: Esbjerg museum: 1996. Pp. 129-137.
[Wild vs domesticated hops are discussed.]
* Wretemark, Maria. "Mat och miljo i medeltidens Skara. (Food and
environment in Medieval Skara. In Swedish.)" In: Skara i medeltid. Staden,
stiftet, landskapet (Skara [Vastergotland] in the Middle Ages. The city, the
diocese, the province). (Skrifter fran Skaraborgs lansmuseum 22). ed. Agneta
H. Boqvist. Skara: Skaraborg lansmuseum: 1995. Pp 56-68.
BEADS
-----
* Callmer, Johan and Julian Henderson. "Glassworking at Ahus, south Sweden
[Skane, 8th century AD]" Labortaiv Arkeologi 5 (1991) pp. 143-154.
* Ambrosiani, Bjorn. "Beads and glass". In: Excavations in the Black Earth
1990. Birka Studies 2. Bjorn Ambrosiani and Helen Clarke, eds. Stockholm:
Raa-SHMm: 1995. Pp. 52-63.
MUSIC
-----
Wessberg, Erik Axel. "Dromte mig en drom (I dreamt me a dream. In Danish)."
Skalk 1996/2, pp 20-28.
[Popular description of musical instruments from Dan, Norw and Sw. With two
fellow musicians, au has recorded samples of early music. A CD may be
obtained from the producer, Skalk.]
Vikings in the East: Rus and Varangians
----------------------------------------
* Blondal, Sigfus. The Varangians of Byzantium. revised by Benedikt S.
Benedikz. Cambridge. 1978. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521217458/thevikinganswerl
* Ellis-Davidson, Hilda Roderick. The Viking Road to Byzantium. London:
George Allen & Unwin. 1976. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0049400495/thevikinganswerl
[Like all of Dr. Ellis-Davidson's works, this is a complete, scholarly and
yet supremely readable book. Covers eastern trade, the Rus, the Varangians,
as well as discussing ideas brought back to Scandinavian by Viking
travellers to the east.]
* Holthoer, R. Birch-Bark Documents from Novgorod Relating to Finland and
Scandinavia. Acta Universitatis Uppsaliensis 19. Uppsala: University of
Uppsala. 1981.
* Jordan, Robert P. "When the Rus Invaded Russia: The Viking Trail East."
National Geographic 167 (1985): 278-317.
[Popular discussion of the history of the Rus.]
* Palsson, Hermann and Paul Edwards. Vikings in Russia: Yngvar's Saga and
Eymund's Saga. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 1989. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0852246234/thevikinganswerl
* Rogers, Leslie. "Anglo-Saxons and Icelanders in Byzantium." in Byzantine
Papers. Canberra. 1981.
* Volkoff, Vladimir. Vladimir the Russian Viking. Woodstock, NY: Overlook
Press. 1984. To order from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879512342/thevikinganswerl
[A bibliography of Saint Vladimir the Baptiser, ruler of the Viking Rus ca.
960 - 1015.]
OTHER
-----
* Wawn, Andrew. The Vikings and the Victorians: Inventing the Old North in
Nineteenth-Century Britain.
* Wilson, David. Vikings and Gods in European Art. Hojbjerg Denmark:
Moesgard Museum. 1997.
Yes, that was quite long...
Arts and Crafts
---------------
Aside from the sources listed below, those interested in Viking arts and
crafts should check the various large "coffee table" books concerning the
Vikings. These tend to have large, full-color photographs of Viking
artifacts, which can aid the craftsman as a guide to style, or encourage one
to reconstruct a pictured item.
* Bartholm, Lis. Scandinavian Folk Designs. Dover Design Library. New York:
Dover Publications. 1988. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486255786/thevikinganswerl
[This small book includes drawings and photos of designs in many media,
including weaving, carving, jewellry and more. There are Viking Age and
medieval examples included, although this book also includes later periods
as well. This book is useful mostly as a general source of inspiration to
craftsmen rather than as a "pattern book".]
* Chapman, Gillian. The Vikings. Crafts from the Past Series. Heinemann
Library. December 2000. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1575724103/thevikinganswerl
[This book is slated for publication in December, 2000.]
* Hald, Margrethe. Primitive Shoes: An Archaeological-Ethnological Study
Based upon Shoe Finds from the Jutland Peninsula. Archaeological-Historical
Series I:13. Copenhagen: National Museum of Denmark. 1972.
[A very long title for a very good book. Hald discusses every shoe from the
Viking Age or earlier that has ever been dug up in Denmark. Most of the
shoes have not only photographs, but line drawings of what the shoe would
look like if it were laid out flat (a massive help in attempting to make
your own shoes). Hald also discusses (with pictures) similar shoes dug up
elsewhere in Scandinavia, plus more modern examples of similar shoes from
the various Scandinavian and Celtic countries, the Baltic area, and the
Faroe Islands. ]
* Hoffmann, Marta. The Warp-Weighted Loom: Studies in the History and
Technology of an Ancient Implement. Oslo: Univeritetsforlaget. 1964.
[A complete discussion of the Viking weaving process, including the parts of
the loom, warping, and weaving. Modern Faroese and Saami women who are still
using the same loom were used as the basis of this study, and their
technique is carefully explained both in the text and via numerous
photographs describing the weaving process. Also discusses period weaves and
fibers.]
* Kashammar, Marta. Skapa Med Halm. Halmstad, Sweden. Bokforlaget Spektra.
1985.
[This book is indeed written in Swedish. I have included it in this list as
it uses a minimum of text combined with copious clear diagrams and
photographs to illustrate the Scandinavian art of "Crafting with Straw" (the
literal translation of the title). Covers straw hats, baskets, Yule
ornaments, etc. Most university libraries have a Swedish-English dictionary,
which will help you deciper the text where necessary. I've found it easy and
useful to work from.]
* Kormaksdottir, Brynhildr. "Danzleikar: or, Egill Shakes a Leg."
Tournaments Illuminated 64 (1982):13-15.
[Dancing for Vikings and medieval Scandinavians, includes choreography, and
also words and music for "Ormen Lange", "Dvergemoy", and "Olafr Liljuros". ]
* Meehan, Aidan. Celtic Design: The Dragon and the Griffin -- The Viking
Impact. Thames & Hudson. 1995. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0500277923/thevikinganswerl
[The artwork of the Vikings and of the Celts share many similarities -- both
cultures are Indo-European, and there was considerable intercourse between
the two peoples via warfare, trade, and settlement. This book takes a close
look at the stylistic differences between Celtic and Viking art, providing
valuable insights into the fine details that make each culture's art unique.
In general, Viking art is less formal and precise than similar Celtic works,
and often shows a greater energy and originality. Includes illustrations
that would be useful as designs for craftsmen.]
* Newall, Venetia. An Egg at Easter. Boston: Routledge and Kegan Paul. 1971.
[While this book's primary focus is on the folklore of the decorated egg, it
also covers the history of the decorated egg, designs and symbolism, as well
as techniques for decorating. There are lots of good color photos as well,
to help you create your own traditional eggs in the long-time Germanic
custom at Easter.]
* Nylen, Anna-Maja. Swedish Handicraft. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
1977.
[While this book concentrates on handicraft in Sweden from the Renaissance
to the present, many techniques have been used unchanged since the Viking
Age, making this volume's copious color illustrations a godsend for workers
in weaving, sprang, woodcrafts, horn and bone crafts etc. Excellent source
for craftsmen.]
* Rice, Patty C. Amber: the Golden Gem of the Ages. 2nd. ed. New York: The
Kosciuszko Foundation. 1987.
[As amber was particularly associated with the Scandinavian peoples, this is
an excellent book to have. Discusses the history of amber, its mythology,
plus everything one needs to know when purchasing amber, including
discriminating between true amber and its imitations.]
* Wilson, David M. and Ole Klindt-Jensen. Viking Art. 2nd ed. Boston: George
Allen & Unwin. 1980.
[Not only includes a discussion of the art-history of the Vikings, but also
includes 69 line drawings and 80 photographic plates showing details of
Viking design. A must for any craftsman, from calligrapher to jeweler to
leatherworker, etc.]
TOOLS
-----
* Arwidsson, Greta and Gosta Berg. The Mastermyr Find: A Viking Age Tool
Chest from Gotland. Stockholm: KVHAA/Almqvist & Wiksell. 1983.
* Slomann, Wencke and Arne Emil Christiansen. "The Aker Find: Facts,
Theories and Speculations." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen.
Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 173-190
[Discusses the use of punch tools in period.]
* Larsen, Erling Benner. "Tracing the tools by their traces: Identification
and documentation of tool traces - illustrated through punch-decorated
objects from the early Germanic Iron Age." Kuml 1982-1983. Arhus: Jysk
Arkaeologisk Selskub 1984. pp 169-179.
WOODWORKING AND CARVING
-----------------------
* Fridstrom, Erik. "The Viking Age Wood Carvers. Their Tools and
Techniques." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo:
Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 87-92.
* Fuglesang, Signe Horn. "Wood carving from Oslo and Trondheim and some
reflections on period styles." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa
70-ars-dagen. Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 93-108.
* Anderson, Aron. "Medieval Woodcarvings in Sweden." Safeguarding of
Medieval Altar Pieces and wood carvings in Churches and Museums. KVHAA
Konferenser 6. 1981. pp- 27-32.
* Lang, James T. Viking Age Decorated Wood. Medieval Dublin Excavations
1962-81 Series B1. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. 1988.
* Fuglesang, Signa Horn. "Woodcarvers - Professionals and Amateurs in
Eleventh Century Trondheim." Economic Aspects of the Viking Age. eds. David
Wilson and M.L. Caygill. British Museum Occasional Papers 30. London:
British Museum. 1981.
* Dahl, Sverri. "Forn barnaleiku i Foroyum." Mondul 3 (1979). pp. 3-13
[Article about ancient toys from the Faroe Islands.]
* Nilsson, Torvald. "Om medeltida sadeltacken." Kulturen. 1986. pp. 312-339.
[Discusses a carved and tooled leather sheet used as a saddlepad.]
* Werner, W.E. "Faltstuhl (A Folding Chair. In German.)" In: Reallexikon der
Germanischen Altertumskunde von Johannes Hoops 8/1-6 (Encyclopedia of
Germanic archaeology and history 8/1-6). eds. H. Beck. H. Jankuhn, Heiko
Steuer, D. Timpe, R. Wenskus. 2nd completely revised ed. Berlin/New/York: de
Gruyter: 1994.
BONE, IVORY, ANTLER
-------------------
* Bertelson, Reidar. "Decorated spoons of reindeer antler in Norwegian urban
and rural context." Archaeology and the urban Economy: Festschrift to
Asbjorn E. Herteig. Arkeologiske Skrifter 5. eds. Siri Myrvold et al.
Bergen: Historisk Museum Universitet i Bergen. 1989. pp. 245-254.
* Ambrosiani, Kristina. "Viking Age Combs, Combmaking, and Combmakers in the
Light of Finds from Birka and Ribe." Stockholm Studies in Archaeology 2.
1981. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/9171461507/thevikinganswerl
* Hiruluoto, Anna-Liisa. "A bone spoon from Pirkkala." Iskos 9 (1990)
pp.87-91.
* Mageroy, Ellen M. "Abraham-hornet fra Island." Viking 49 (1946)
pp.235-247.
[Discusses a carved Icelandic drinking horn.]
* Heikkurinen-Montell, Tuula. "Bone artefacts." In: Vainionmaki - a
Merovingian period cemetery in Laitila, Finland [Varsinais-Suomi/Egentliga
Finland]. Paula Purhonen, ed. Helsinki: National Board of Antiquities: 1996.
Pg. 101.
[A description of fragments of a comb and an unidentified implement.]
* Smith, Beverley Ballin. "Reindeer antler combs at Howe: Contact between
Late Iron Age Orkney and Norway." UOArbok 1993-1994 (1995), pp 207-211.
[Four reindeer-antler combs at the broch settlement site at Howe indicate
that pre-Norse trade existed between Orkney and Norway as early as the late
6th/early 7th C.]
* Weber, Birthe. "Handel mellom Norge og Orknoyene for norron bosetning?
Reingevir som ramateriale i orknoyisk kamproduksjon (Trade between Norway
and Orkney prior to the Norse settlement? Reindeer antlers as raw material
in comb production in Orkney. In Norwegian.)" Nordsjoen (1996) pp 31-40.
[Based on osteological analyses of combs in Orkney, author claims that
reindeer antlers were included in an exchange system between Norw and the
Atlantic islands already in the 7th-8th C AD.]
* Weber, Birthe. "The identification of raw material in combs." UOArbok
1993-1994 (1995), pp 197-205.
[A presentation and discussion of methods. Analyses of 54 combs made
independently by Rolf Lie and Anne Karin Hufthammer show no great
discrepancy in the degree of possible identification between the inhumation
and cremation material. Reindeer antler is the predominant raw material in
Early IA combs, underlining the dimensions of espec. the Hardangervidda
hunt.]
* Skov, Hans. "Legemspleje (Care of the body. In Danish.)" Skalk 1995/4, pp
20-21.
[On a find in Arhus (Jylland) in 1994 of a well-preserved very special
asymmetric type of double-comb, probably of Norw origin and dated to the
middle of the 13th C.]
* Hoftun, Oddgeir. "Jernaldersamfunnets kvinnelighet (The feminity of Iron
Age society. In Norwegian.)" KAN. Kvinner i arkeologi i Norge 19-20, 1995,
pp 99-114.
[There is a connection in the Early Med between thoughts, hair, comb and
God, which may cast light on the qualities attached to combs in the
conceptual world of the pre-Christian society.]
* Swanstrom, Eric. "En medeltida kammakarverkstad pa Oster Klint i Visby? (A
Medieval comb-maker's workshop at Oster Klint in Visby? In Swedish.)" In:
Aktuellt [Gotland]. Gotlandskt arkiv 68, 1996. Pp. 210-212.
[An accumulation of bones is interpreted as waste from a comb-maker's
workshop. One of several short reports of investigations carried out on
Gotland 1995-1996.]
* Callmer, Johan. "Hantverksproduktion, samhallsforandringar och bebyggelse.
Iakttagelser fran ostra Sydskandinavien ca. 600-1100 e.Kr (Handicraft
production, social changes and settlement. Observations from the east of
southern Scandinavia AD 600-1100. Swedish with English summary.)" Produksjon
og samfunn (1995) pp 39-72.
* Roesdahl, Else. Hvalrostand, Elfenben og nordboerne i Gronland (Walrus
tusk, ivory and the Northmen in Greenland. In Danish.) C C Rafn forelasning
10. Odense: Odense universitetsforlag: 1995.
[The explosion in the use of walrus ivory c. 1000-1200 AD in Scandinavia, NW
Europe and Great Britain is discussed. It is argued that this ivory came
from Greenl, and that it was of central importance for the economy of the
Greenl Norse settlements. The decline and end of these settlements in the
14th-15th C is explained as a result of the declining demand for walrus
ivory in Europe, as elephant ivory became easily available.]
DRINKING VESSELS
----------------
* Borsheim, Ragnar L. "Jernalderens drikkeutstyr: fra romertid til
vikingetid i Vest-Norge. (The Iron Age drinking-equipment: from the Roman
Iron Age to the Viking Age in western Norway. In Norwegian.)" PhD
Dissertation, University of Bergen, Institute of Archaeology. Bergen:
Universitetet, Inst. for arkeologi: 1995.
* Holand, Ingegerd. Vessel Import to Norway in the First Millennium AD:
Composition and Context. PhD Thesis. London: University of London. 1996.
[More than 1,100 imported vessels in bronze, glass, wood, horn, clay and
silver from the first millennium AD are described and related to the status
of the farms involved, based on farm names and written sources. Of 538 farms
with imported vessels, c. 30-35% may be associated with pagan religious
activity, have early Christian churches, or other IA or Med centre
functions, while another 50% are close neighbours of such farms. A mere 15%
cannot be related to central farms at all, using the adopted methodology.
Vessel use is considered in relation to find context, gender association,
and possible social and religious practices. It is suggested that vessels
were imported mainly because of their symbolic and social and
social/religious meaning, and that their role as status markers was
secondary and dependent on this meaning.]
JEWELRY
-------
* Axboe, Morten. "Positive and negative versions in the making of
chipcarving ornaments." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen.
Oslo: Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 31-42.
* Lonborg, Bjarne. "The method of production of Viking Age tortoise
brooches." Kuml 1991-1992. Arhus: I Kommission Hos Aarhus
Universitetsforlag. 1991-1992, pp. 151-164.
CERAMICS
--------
* Madsen, Hans Jorgen. "An Introduction to Danish Medieval Ceramics." In:
Ceramics and Trade. eds. Peter Davey and Richard Hodges. Sheffield:
University of Sheffield Department of Prehistory and Archaeology. 1983. pp.
187-190.
* Madsen, Per Kristian. "A survey of the research of Danish medieval
pottery." Medieval Ceramics 10 (1986) pp. 57-84
* Magnus, Bente, "The Interlace Motif on the bucket-shaped pottery of the
Migration Period." Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo:
Universitets Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 139-157.
* Hulthen, Birgitta. "Some notes on ceramic production during the early Iron
Age." Studien zur Sachsenforschung 6 (1987) pp. 95-99.
* Klemensen, Marie Foged. "Production of highly decorated pottery in
Medieval Denmark". In: La ceramique tres decoree dans l'Europe du nord-ouest
(Xeme-XVeme siecles). Actes du Colloque de Douai (7-8 avril 1995), ed by
Daniel Piton. Berck-sur-mer: Musee de Berck-sur-mer: 1996. (Nord-ouest
archeologie 7). Pp 131-138.
[The article presents the known centres where lead glaze and varying types
of decoration have been used: the kiln-sites at Farum Lillevang (Sjalland),
Faurholm (Sjalland) and Kragelund (Jylland); waster finds from Ribe
(Jylland), Illerup Aadal (Jylland) and Svendborg (Fyn); a typologically
delimited group of jugs in and around Lund (Skane), and a widely distributed
group of so-called 'monk's face' jugs. (Cf NAA 1996/9F Klemensen:
Munkeansigter ...). The dating of most of the production indicates a period
between 1200 and 1400.]
* Back, Mattias. "Importkeramiken i Birka (The imported pottery in Birka
[Uppland]. Swedish with English summary.)" Meta 1995/1, pp 4-21.
TEXTILES
--------
* Tomantera, Leena. "Braid, weave, and 'foxtail'" Fenno Ugri et Slavi 1983:
Papers Presented by the Participants in the Soviet-Finnish Symposium' Trade,
Exchange and Culture Relations of the Peoples of Fennoscandia and Eastern
Europe' 3 May 1983. Helsinki: Suomen Muinaismuistoyhdistys-Finska Fornminnes
Foreningen. 1984. pp. 70-76.
* Pritchard, Frances. "Silk braids and textiles of the Viking Age from
Dublin." Archaeological Textiles. eds Lise Bender Jorgensen et al.
Copenhagen: Kobenhavens Universitet, Arkaeologick Institut 1988. pp.
149-161.
* Munksgaard, Elisabeth. "The Embroideries from Bjerringhoy,
Mammen."Festkrift til Thorleif Sjovold pa 70-ars-dagen. Oslo: Universitets
Oldsaksamling. 1984. pp. 159-171.
* Fjellstrom, Phebe. "The Hla?: A Viking Hair Ornament." In Honorem Evert
Baudou. Archaeology and Environment 4. eds Margareta Backe et al. Umea,
Sweden: Universitet Avd for Arkeologi. 1985.
* Geijir, Agnes. "The Textile Finds from Birka." Cloth and Clothing in
Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold
Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London:
Pasold. 1983. pp. 80-99.
* Nockert, Margareta. "A Scandinavian Haberget?" Cloth and Clothing in
Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold
Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London:
Pasold. 1983. pp. 100-107
[Describes a semicircular cloak and gives pattern drafts for the
tablet-woven trim on the cloak.]
* Hagg, Inga. "Viking Women's Dress at Birka: A Reconstruction by
Archaeological Methods." Cloth and Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in
Memory of Professor E.M. Carus Wilson. Pasold Studies in Textile History 2.
eds. B.B. Harte and K. G. Ponting. London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 316-350.
* Hoffman, Marta. "Beds and Bedclothes in Medieval Norway." Cloth and
Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. CarusWilson.
Pasold Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G.Ponting.
London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 351-367.
* Turnau, Irena. "The Diffusion of Knitting in Medieval Europe." Cloth and
Clothing in Medieval Europe: Essays in Memory of Professor E.M. Carus
Wilson. Pasold Studies in Textile History 2. eds. B.B. Harte and K. G.
Ponting. London: Pasold. 1983. pp. 368-389.
* Cyrus Zetterstrom, Ulla. "A monochrome patterned silk fabric among the
finds from Birka." Opera Textila Variorum Temporum: To Honor Agnes Geijir on
her 90th Birthday 26 Oct 1988. Museum of National Antiquities 8. eds. Inger
Estham and Margarets Nockert. Stockholm: Museum of National Antiquities 1988
pp. 45-48.
* Estham, Inger. "A newly discovered intarsia and gold leather embroidery."
Opera Textila Variorum Temporum: To Honor Agnes Geijir on her 90th Birthday
26 Oct 1988. Museum of National Antiquities 8. eds. Inger Estham
andMargarets Nockert. Stockholm: Museum of National Antiquities 1988 pp.
93-110.
* Walton, Penelope. "Dyes and wools in textiles from Mammen." Mammen-Grav,
Kunst og Samfund i Vikingetid. Arhus: Aarjus Universitets forlag.1991. pp.
139-143.
* Waller, Jutta. Draktnalar och draktskick i ostra Malardalen. Kontinuitet
och forandring under folkvandringstid och vendeltid (Dress-pins and style of
dress in the eastern Malar Valley. Continuity and change during Migration
and Vendel periods. Swedish with English summary.) Uppsala: Universitetet,
Inst. for arkeologi: 1996. (Aun 23).
[A study of two types of dress-pins: the protuberant pin (Migration period)
and the polyhedral pin (Vendel period). Early and new finds of pins are set
in chronological relation to one another and to dating evidence from Helgo
(Uppland], the place of manufacture. Both types of pins were in use partly
at the same time, the protuberant pins late 5th and 6th C, whereas the
polyhedral pins came into use c. 50 years later. The two types belong to
different cultural spheres. The new style of dress with polyhedral pins and
a pair of brooches can testify to the origin of the Viking Age dress with
shoulder straps.]
* Mannering, Ulla. "Oldtidens brandenaldeklade - forsog med fremstilling af
brandenaldegarn. (Nettle cloth in antiquity - experiments in producing
nettle yarn from the Centre for Experimental Archaeology at Lejre, Denmark.
In Danish.)" In: Arkaologiske eksperimenter i Lejre (Archaeological
experiments at Lejre). Morten Meldgaard and Marianne Rasmussen, eds.
Copenhagen: Rhodos: 1996. Pp 73-80.
* Schjolberg, Ellen. "Neslens kulturhistorie (The culture history of the
nettle. In Norwegian)". Naturen 1996/6, pp 312-318.
[Through the ages nettle (Urtica) has been of importance as food for humans
and animals, for medicinal use and also in magic. Its use as a fibre plant
and in textile production has influenced most Indoeuropean languages, and is
archaeologically documented back to the Stone Age.]
* Fentz, Mytte. "Viking Age replicas in research and communication."
Textilsymposium Neumunster 1993, 1995. pp 95-107.
[Based on a Viking Age shirt from Viborg and a new Viking Age museum in
Aalborg, author discusses aspects of replica making. Though experimental
archaeology can be a valuable tool in research, replica making for exhibits
will entail difficulties when lack of originals forces us to compromise. The
ethical implications are discussed.]
* Krag, Anne Hedeager. "Reconstruction of a Viking magnate dress."
Textilsymposium Neumunster 1993, 1995, pp 114-119.
[Based on textile finds from Hedeby (Schleswig-Holstein), a Vik magnate
dress consisting of trousers, leggings, tunic and cloak is reconstructed in
red, blue and black.]
* Svensson, Eva. "Invisible handicrafts: the general picture of textile and
skin crafts in Scandinavian surveys". Lund Arch. Rev. 1995. pp 7-20.
LEATHER, HIDE AND FUR
---------------------
* Agren, Torbjorn. "Ett baverskinn var mer vart an en hel bjornfall (A
beaver's skin was more valuable than a bear's skin. In Swedish.)" Popular
arkeologi 1995/1, pp 14-16.
* Agren, Torbjorn. "Fur in Birka: an examination of hair residue on
penannular brooches". Laborativ arkeologi 8, 1995, pp 50-58.
HORSE EQUIPMENT
---------------
* Lyngstrom, Henriette. "Ketting - en vikingetidsgravplads med ryttergrave
(Ketting - a Viking Age cemetery with equestrian graves [Jylland]. Danish
with English summary.)" Aarboger 1993 (1995), pp 143-179.
[Publication of 30 inhumations from the 10th C, several of them with weapons
and 3 with horse gear. Technical analyses of stirrups, knives, and a sword
indicate extraction of local bog iron. A study of stirrups from 48 known
equestrian graves reveals several contemporaneous workshop traditions.]
* Kruger, Cordula. Die vendelzeitliche Pferdeaurustung in Schweden: unter
besonderer Berucksichtigung des Reitzubehors von Gotland im Vergleich mit
dem schwedischen Festland (The Vendel period horse trappings in Sweden: with
special reference to the riding equipment from Gotland in comparison to the
material from the Swedish mainland). Kiel: Christian-Albrechts-Universitat:
1995.
FOOD
----
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "The Ljunga bread - prehistoric bark bread? Inner bark
as a nutritive substance in the light of comparative evidence from written
records." Pact 50, 1995, pp 385-398.
[Evidence for Viking Age bark breads.]
* Isaksson, Sven. "Cooking pits in the light of lipid analysis". In:
Proceedings from the 6th Nordic Conference on the Application of Scientific
Methods in Archaeology, Esbjerg 1993. (Arkaologiske rapporter 1). Esbjerg:
Esbjerg museum: 1996. Pp. 139-152.
[Other features such as storage or refuse pits should also be examined.]
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "Bread in Birka and on Bjorko [Uppland]". Laborativ
arkeologi 9, 1996, pp 61-78.
[On bread deposits in the cremation graves in Birka and from Ormknos
cemeteries on Bjorko. Methods used to establish the original number of
loaves as well as their size and morphology are discussed. It is also
discussed whether the bread was baked in individual households or in a town
bakery. Aspects of distribution and the symbolic function of the grave bread
are presented.]
* Hansson, Ann-Marie. "Finds of hops, Humulus lupulus L., in the Black Earth
at Birka [Uppland], Sweden". In: Proceedings from the 6th Nordic Conference
on the Application of Scientific Methods in Archaeology, Esbjerg 1993.
(Arkaologiske rapporter 1). Esbjerg: Esbjerg museum: 1996. Pp. 129-137.
[Wild vs domesticated hops are discussed.]
* Wretemark, Maria. "Mat och miljo i medeltidens Skara. (Food and
environment in Medieval Skara. In Swedish.)" In: Skara i medeltid. Staden,
stiftet, landskapet (Skara [Vastergotland] in the Middle Ages. The city, the
diocese, the province). (Skrifter fran Skaraborgs lansmuseum 22). ed. Agneta
H. Boqvist. Skara: Skaraborg lansmuseum: 1995. Pp 56-68.
BEADS
-----
* Callmer, Johan and Julian Henderson. "Glassworking at Ahus, south Sweden
[Skane, 8th century AD]" Labortaiv Arkeologi 5 (1991) pp. 143-154.
* Ambrosiani, Bjorn. "Beads and glass". In: Excavations in the Black Earth
1990. Birka Studies 2. Bjorn Ambrosiani and Helen Clarke, eds. Stockholm:
Raa-SHMm: 1995. Pp. 52-63.
MUSIC
-----
Wessberg, Erik Axel. "Dromte mig en drom (I dreamt me a dream. In Danish)."
Skalk 1996/2, pp 20-28.
[Popular description of musical instruments from Dan, Norw and Sw. With two
fellow musicians, au has recorded samples of early music. A CD may be
obtained from the producer, Skalk.]
Vikings in the East: Rus and Varangians
----------------------------------------
* Blondal, Sigfus. The Varangians of Byzantium. revised by Benedikt S.
Benedikz. Cambridge. 1978. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521217458/thevikinganswerl
* Ellis-Davidson, Hilda Roderick. The Viking Road to Byzantium. London:
George Allen & Unwin. 1976. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0049400495/thevikinganswerl
[Like all of Dr. Ellis-Davidson's works, this is a complete, scholarly and
yet supremely readable book. Covers eastern trade, the Rus, the Varangians,
as well as discussing ideas brought back to Scandinavian by Viking
travellers to the east.]
* Holthoer, R. Birch-Bark Documents from Novgorod Relating to Finland and
Scandinavia. Acta Universitatis Uppsaliensis 19. Uppsala: University of
Uppsala. 1981.
* Jordan, Robert P. "When the Rus Invaded Russia: The Viking Trail East."
National Geographic 167 (1985): 278-317.
[Popular discussion of the history of the Rus.]
* Palsson, Hermann and Paul Edwards. Vikings in Russia: Yngvar's Saga and
Eymund's Saga. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. 1989. Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0852246234/thevikinganswerl
* Rogers, Leslie. "Anglo-Saxons and Icelanders in Byzantium." in Byzantine
Papers. Canberra. 1981.
* Volkoff, Vladimir. Vladimir the Russian Viking. Woodstock, NY: Overlook
Press. 1984. To order from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879512342/thevikinganswerl
[A bibliography of Saint Vladimir the Baptiser, ruler of the Viking Rus ca.
960 - 1015.]
OTHER
-----
* Wawn, Andrew. The Vikings and the Victorians: Inventing the Old North in
Nineteenth-Century Britain.
* Wilson, David. Vikings and Gods in European Art. Hojbjerg Denmark:
Moesgard Museum. 1997.
Yes, that was quite long...
