{"id":1195,"date":"2025-09-04T16:45:50","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/?p=1195"},"modified":"2025-09-04T16:45:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:45:56","slug":"shields-where-the-chips-really-fly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osebergvikingarv.no\/eng\/2025\/09\/04\/shields-where-the-chips-really-fly\/","title":{"rendered":"Shields \u2013 where the chips really fly!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wood chips are literally flying when young Theodor (18) and other volunteers in Sandefjord explore the secrets behind the shields from the Gokstad ship.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Einar Chr. Erlingsen<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Only a handful of shields from the Viking Age have ever been found \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Viking shields had to take a real beating \u2013 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\u00a0Gokstad find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the ship burial was excavated in 1880, hundreds of fragments were uncovered \u2013 most of them tiny, but some larger pieces as well. These were collected in four large boxes and then largely forgotten\u2026 until now. That is about to change, thanks to a partnership between the Museum of Cultural History and Oseberg Viking Heritage (OVA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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,\u00a0Roger Pande L\u00f8vall. The one who does much of the hands-on work is none other than\u00a018-year-old Theodor Berqvam, who has been an active volunteer in the Viking Park for four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe shields, like the new Gokstad ship, are built entirely by hand following Viking Age techniques \u2013 no saws, only authentic craftsmanship,\u201d<\/em> promises Theodor, adding: \u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic project!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A long-term production<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Originally, it was believed that the Gokstad ship contained remains of\u00a064 shields.
Recent research by\u00a0Vegard Vike, archaeological conservator and senior engineer at the Museum of Cultural History, now suggests the actual number was closer to\u00a032 \u2013 one for each rower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating these shields is no quick task. The originals were most likely made of\u00a0spruce.
Roger Pande L\u00f8vall explains the process: First, the planks are hewn down to 20 mm thick and dried for\u00a06\u201312 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 \u2013 ranging from\u00a05 to 9 mm\u00a0across the shield face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA series of small holes near the edge suggests that the shields were reinforced with rawhide,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Roger says. \u201cWe\u2019ll apply rawhide to a couple of test shields and exhibition pieces. As glue, we use\u00a0<\/em>casein<\/em><\/strong>, which \u2013 unlike other period alternatives \u2013 is resistant to moisture.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A true-to-life test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our self-taught blacksmith\u00a0Kristoffer Holmvik\u00a0forges the\u00a0shield bosses\u00a0\u2013 the protective metal domes on the outside of the shield, with a grip on the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, the ultimate challenge: The very first shield will face a\u00a0real test \u2013 in combat! This will take place during\u00a0Sandefjord\u2019s annual Culture Night on September 6, when Vikings from\u00a0Borrefylkingenwill arrive with\u00a0razor-sharp axes\u00a0to hack away at a freshly made Sandefjord shield!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photos:<\/strong>
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\u00a032 shields\u00a0that will eventually be produced for the new Gokstad ship. (Photo: Oseberg Vikingarv)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translated from Norwegian by ChatGPT.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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