Articles
Round Shields and Body Techniques: Experimental Archaeology with a Viking Age Round Shield Reconstruction
Experimental Archaeology with a Viking Age Round Shield Reconstruction
This article is a write-up of experimental trials with a Viking Age round shield reconstruction. The experiment attempted to determine what body techniques Viking Age round shields are inclined to facilitate and which they restrict or otherwise discourage. More specifically, the aim was to critically assess body techniques in terms of deflection and to obtain empirical data outlining the effects associated with an aggressive as well as relatively passive use of the shield. The terms “aggressive” and “passive” are used here to describe the extent to which the shield is actively thrusted forward to meet the attackers blow. The video material from the trials have been made available on Combat Archaeology’s Youtube Channel.
Getaryggen, a Battlefield from the Nordic Seven Years’ War (1563-1570)
Getaryggen, a Battlefield from the Nordic Seven Years’ War (1563-1570)
In this article, archaeologist Claes Pettersson provides an introduction to the project Getaryggen and the archaeological results gained from this project thus far. The author explores what the historical and archaeological sources can reveal about the tactical aspects of the battle and examines some of the social aspects and consequences of the events.
A Comment Regarding the Handedness of Anglo-Saxon and Viking Swords
A Comment Regarding the Handedness of Anglo-Saxon and Viking Swords.
In this article, linguist and philologist Antti Ijäs explores the issue of the handedness of Anglo-Saxon and Viking swords through an examination of historical literary works and practical experimentation. The article demonstrates the value of philological analyses of past material cultures, stressing the need for further interdisciplinary approaches as well as proper referencing.
The Dane Axe
Artefact of the Month: The Dane Axe
This article is an extensive “artefact of the month” post. In this article, the archaeologist Rolf F. Warming presents a Viking Age Dane axe that is currently in the collection of the National Museum of Denmark. The article contextualizes the signficance of the axe in both cultural and pragmatic terms, offering a brief insight into Viking Age weaponry and combat.