Metallurgy

Metallurgy | Democratic Government | Weapons | Longboat | Runes | Literature

Background

The Vikings had very advanced metallurgical technology for their time. Some of their methods would not be commonly recreated until a thousand years later! In some cases, ironsmiths were even considered supernatural thanks to the reverence people had for them and their creations. After studying the Viking culture and artifacts for years and years, people can finally piece together the story of Viking-Age metallurgy.

History

In about 500 BCE, the Scandinavian people entered their Iron Age, having arrived in the areas in 10,000 BCE. They began to change their government, mythology, and craftwork. Since the Scandinavian bogs were full of phosphorus-rich iron deposits, it was not hard for them to find materials. In around 750 CE, the Viking Age began. During that age, the Vikings more commonly used steel than pure iron, for steel had better qualities and was slightly cheaper. The vast majority of their practical artifacts are made from this steel, proving how common it was in their time to have household works of metal.

Impacts

The Vikings revolutionized the world of metalworking, and we mostly have them to thank for our modern use and view of metal. In their own time, they conquered civilizations with their advanced creations and improved the lives of average citizens. Although we have no use for intricate swords or ornate hoards of gold and iron anymore, we can still feel their lasting effects in our daily lives.