Wood chips are literally flying when young Theodor (18) and other volunteers in Sandefjord explore the secrets behind the shields from the Gokstad ship.
By Einar Chr. Erlingsen
Only a handful of shields from the Viking Age have ever been found – and research on the subject has been scarce. Now, however, exciting things are happening through a collaboration between our workshop in Sandefjord and the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo.
Viking shields had to take a real beating – but how were they constructed, and what held them together?
The main reason for our limited knowledge is simply that so few shields, or shield fragments, have survived. There is, however, one important exception: the Gokstad find.
When the ship burial was excavated in 1880, hundreds of fragments were uncovered – most of them tiny, but some larger pieces as well. These were collected in four large boxes and then largely forgotten… until now. That is about to change, thanks to a partnership between the Museum of Cultural History and Oseberg Viking Heritage (OVA).
The work is being carried out at our Sandefjord workshop. The initiative was first taken by former workshop leader Tore Forsberg, and today, project contact is maintained by our current department head, Roger Pande Løvall. The one who does much of the hands-on work is none other than 18-year-old Theodor Berqvam, who has been an active volunteer in the Viking Park for four years.
“The shields, like the new Gokstad ship, are built entirely by hand following Viking Age techniques – no saws, only authentic craftsmanship,” promises Theodor, adding: “It’s a fantastic project!”
A long-term production
Originally, it was believed that the Gokstad ship contained remains of 64 shields.
Recent research by Vegard Vike, archaeological conservator and senior engineer at the Museum of Cultural History, now suggests the actual number was closer to 32 – one for each rower.
Vike has generously shared his expertise ahead of the current research project at OVA.
Together, the teams have invested a great deal of effort in analyzing the original shields and fragments from the Gokstad burial.
Creating these shields is no quick task. The originals were most likely made of spruce.
Roger Pande Løvall explains the process: First, the planks are hewn down to 20 mm thick and dried for 6–12 months. They are then planed down to 11 mm before being fitted together and shaped.
Finally, the surface is carefully thinned to achieve the correct profile – ranging from 5 to 9 mm across the shield face.
“A series of small holes near the edge suggests that the shields were reinforced with rawhide,” Roger says. “We’ll apply rawhide to a couple of test shields and exhibition pieces. As glue, we use casein, which – unlike other period alternatives – is resistant to moisture.”
A true-to-life test
Our self-taught blacksmith Kristoffer Holmvik forges the shield bosses – the protective metal domes on the outside of the shield, with a grip on the inside.
And finally, the ultimate challenge: The very first shield will face a real test – in combat! This will take place during Sandefjord’s annual Culture Night on September 6, when Vikings from Borrefylkingenwill arrive with razor-sharp axes to hack away at a freshly made Sandefjord shield!
Photos:
From the production of Viking shields in Sandefjord. 18-year-old Theodor Berqvam has been given the honor of making the first of at least 32 shields that will eventually be produced for the new Gokstad ship. (Photo: Oseberg Vikingarv)
Translated from Norwegian by ChatGPT.