| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Peter Alaca
Guest
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:28 am Post subject: Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland |
 |
|
Natascha Mehler (2007)
Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland: Adaptation to
extraordinary living conditions on the edge of the Old World.
In: Medieval Craft in Rural Landscapes. Ruralia VI:227–244.
<http://preview.tinyurl.com/5henp7> (Universität Wien)
[pdf 1.9 Mb, 22(18) pp]
"This account of archaeological verifiable tradecraft
in Iceland has shown how local resources and imported
raw materials were exploited during Viking Age and de
medieval period. It shows how successfully the
settlers adapted to their new environment. They
compensated for lack of trees by using driftwood and
quickly began to care for the surviving tree
population.
As fuel, wood and peat were of existential
importance. Without them, smelting and metal and bone
working would not have been possible.
The regulation of access to wood as fuel evidently
negatively influenced the development of some trades.
Ceramics, glass and elaborate bone objects were not
or hardly produced in Iceland. metal objects were for
the most part recycled.
The close connection between tradecraft and
mercantile trading also becomes apparent. Thanks to
their rich renewable resources - fish, skins, wool,
sulphur - the role played by the Icelanders in North
European Trade is not to be underestimated.
Such occupations as hunting and training falcons and
sulphur-marketing can be described as typically
Islandic, almost unparalleled in the rest of Europe.
In the opposite direction raw material such as
soapstone, slate and timber were imported to
counterbalance natural deficits.
It is known from fishing sites such as Akurvik that
skilled tradecraft did take place there. In Stóraborg
vessels were coopered probably in numbers over and
over and above those needed for on site use.
This summary of results is just the beginning of an
archaeological examination of Icelandic skills and
trades. For a number of years extensive settlement-
excavations have been taking place and uncovering
many new finds, as yet unpublished. They offer a new
chance to continue pursuing research into tradecraft
in Viking Age and medieval Iceland." |
|
| |
|
 Back to top |
Jack Linthicum
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:27 am Post subject: Re: Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland |
|
|
On Nov 21, 5:28 pm, Peter Alaca <p.al...@purple.invalid> wrote:
[quote]Natascha Mehler (2007)
Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland: Adaptation to
extraordinary living conditions on the edge of the Old World.
In: Medieval Craft in Rural Landscapes. Ruralia VI:227–244.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5henp7> (Universität Wien)
[pdf 1.9 Mb, 22(18) pp]
"This account of archaeological verifiable tradecraft
in Iceland has shown how local resources and imported
raw materials were exploited during Viking Age and de
medieval period. It shows how successfully the
settlers adapted to their new environment. They
compensated for lack of trees by using driftwood and
quickly began to care for the surviving tree
population.
As fuel, wood and peat were of existential
importance. Without them, smelting and metal and bone
working would not have been possible.
The regulation of access to wood as fuel evidently
negatively influenced the development of some trades.
Ceramics, glass and elaborate bone objects were not
or hardly produced in Iceland. metal objects were for
the most part recycled.
The close connection between tradecraft and
mercantile trading also becomes apparent. Thanks to
their rich renewable resources - fish, skins, wool,
sulphur - the role played by the Icelanders in North
European Trade is not to be underestimated.
Such occupations as hunting and training falcons and
sulphur-marketing can be described as typically
Islandic, almost unparalleled in the rest of Europe.
In the opposite direction raw material such as
soapstone, slate and timber were imported to
counterbalance natural deficits.
It is known from fishing sites such as Akurvik that
skilled tradecraft did take place there. In Stóraborg
vessels were coopered probably in numbers over and
over and above those needed for on site use.
This summary of results is just the beginning of an
archaeological examination of Icelandic skills and
trades. For a number of years extensive settlement-
excavations have been taking place and uncovering
many new finds, as yet unpublished. They offer a new
chance to continue pursuing research into tradecraft
in Viking Age and medieval Iceland."
[/quote]
This says something I have always wondered about: why didn>t the
Iceland-Greenland Norse exploit the North American trees? One saga
says they brought back a boat load of wood, and there is no sign that
anything in Greenland or Iceland was built with North American wood. |
|
| |
|
| Back to top |
Jack Linthicum
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland |
|
|
On Nov 22, 6:37 am, Peter Alaca <p.al...@purple.invalid> wrote:
[quote]Jack Linthicum <jacklinthi...@earthlink.net> 22/11/2008 12:27 wrote:
On Nov 21, 5:28 pm, Peter Alaca <p.al...@purple.invalid> wrote:
Natascha Mehler (2007)
Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland: Adaptation to
extraordinary living conditions on the edge of the Old World.
In: Medieval Craft in Rural Landscapes. Ruralia VI:227–244.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5henp7> (Universität Wien)
[pdf 1.9 Mb, 22(18) pp]
"This account of archaeological verifiable tradecraft
in Iceland has shown how local resources and imported
raw materials were exploited during Viking Age and de
medieval period. It shows how successfully the
settlers adapted to their new environment. They
compensated for lack of trees by using driftwood and
quickly began to care for the surviving tree
population.
As fuel, wood and peat were of existential
importance. Without them, smelting and metal and bone
working would not have been possible.
The regulation of access to wood as fuel evidently
negatively influenced the development of some trades.
Ceramics, glass and elaborate bone objects were not
or hardly produced in Iceland. metal objects were for
the most part recycled.
The close connection between tradecraft and
mercantile trading also becomes apparent. Thanks to
their rich renewable resources - fish, skins, wool,
sulphur - the role played by the Icelanders in North
European Trade is not to be underestimated.
Such occupations as hunting and training falcons and
sulphur-marketing can be described as typically
Islandic, almost unparalleled in the rest of Europe.
In the opposite direction raw material such as
soapstone, slate and timber were imported to
counterbalance natural deficits.
It is known from fishing sites such as Akurvik that
skilled tradecraft did take place there. In Stóraborg
vessels were coopered probably in numbers over and
over and above those needed for on site use.
This summary of results is just the beginning of an
archaeological examination of Icelandic skills and
trades. For a number of years extensive settlement-
excavations have been taking place and uncovering
many new finds, as yet unpublished. They offer a new
chance to continue pursuing research into tradecraft
in Viking Age and medieval Iceland."
This says something I have always wondered about: why didn>t the
Iceland-Greenland Norse exploit the North American trees? One saga
says they brought back a boat load of wood, and there is no sign that
anything in Greenland or Iceland was built with North American wood.
And if it was, it probably was driftwood.
But look at the map. It is much easier to go from Iceland
to Europe that to America, and in Europe they could get
everything they needeed.
[/quote]
Several sags mention it going to Greenland. None of this is driftwood:
When Leif returned to Greenland the next spring, he carried a full
cargo of timber and a tow boat filled with grapes.
A third voyage to Vinland was led by Thorfin Karlsefni, who married
Gudrid, the sister in law of Leif. Karlsefni asked Leif for the used
of his houses in Vinland. They landed and set up housekeeping, putting
the livestock they brought along out to pasture. The group immediately
cut timber for a cargo for their ship and made use of the natural
resources of the country for their living.
While Vinland may have been lost, the Greenlanders continued to visit
Labrador (Markland) for timber. The Icelandic annals for 1347 relate
that a ship that had been to Markland was driven off course and found
refuge in Iceland.
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/vikings/Overview.html |
|
| |
|
| Back to top |
Peter Alaca
Guest
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland |
|
|
Jack Linthicum <jacklinthicum@earthlink.net> 22/11/2008 12:27 wrote:
[quote]On Nov 21, 5:28 pm, Peter Alaca <p.al...@purple.invalid> wrote:
Natascha Mehler (2007)
Viking age and medieval craft in Iceland: Adaptation to
extraordinary living conditions on the edge of the Old World.
In: Medieval Craft in Rural Landscapes. Ruralia VI:227–244.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5henp7> (Universität Wien)
[pdf 1.9 Mb, 22(18) pp]
"This account of archaeological verifiable tradecraft
in Iceland has shown how local resources and imported
raw materials were exploited during Viking Age and de
medieval period. It shows how successfully the
settlers adapted to their new environment. They
compensated for lack of trees by using driftwood and
quickly began to care for the surviving tree
population.
As fuel, wood and peat were of existential
importance. Without them, smelting and metal and bone
working would not have been possible.
The regulation of access to wood as fuel evidently
negatively influenced the development of some trades.
Ceramics, glass and elaborate bone objects were not
or hardly produced in Iceland. metal objects were for
the most part recycled.
The close connection between tradecraft and
mercantile trading also becomes apparent. Thanks to
their rich renewable resources - fish, skins, wool,
sulphur - the role played by the Icelanders in North
European Trade is not to be underestimated.
Such occupations as hunting and training falcons and
sulphur-marketing can be described as typically
Islandic, almost unparalleled in the rest of Europe.
In the opposite direction raw material such as
soapstone, slate and timber were imported to
counterbalance natural deficits.
It is known from fishing sites such as Akurvik that
skilled tradecraft did take place there. In Stóraborg
vessels were coopered probably in numbers over and
over and above those needed for on site use.
This summary of results is just the beginning of an
archaeological examination of Icelandic skills and
trades. For a number of years extensive settlement-
excavations have been taking place and uncovering
many new finds, as yet unpublished. They offer a new
chance to continue pursuing research into tradecraft
in Viking Age and medieval Iceland."
This says something I have always wondered about: why didn>t the
Iceland-Greenland Norse exploit the North American trees? One saga
says they brought back a boat load of wood, and there is no sign that
anything in Greenland or Iceland was built with North American wood.
[/quote]
And if it was, it probably was driftwood.
But look at the map. It is much easier to go from Iceland
to Europe that to America, and in Europe they could get
everything they needeed. |
|
| |
|
| Back to top |
|
