The early medieval cutting edge of technology : an archaeometallurgical, technological and social study of the manufacture and use of Anglo-Saxon and Viking iron knives, and their contribution to the early medieval iron economy
A review of archaeometallurgical studies carried out in the 1980s and 1990s of early medieval (c. AD410-1100) iron knives revealed several patterns, with clear differences in knife manufacturing techniques present in rural cemeteries and later urban settlements. The main aim of this research is to investigate these patterns and to gain an overall understanding of the early medieval iron industry. This study has increased the number of knives analysed from a wide spectrum of sites across England, Scotland and Ireland. Knives were selected for analysis based on X-radiographs and contextual details. Sections were removed for more detailed archaeometallurgical analysis. The analysis revealed a clear change through time, with a standardisation in manufacturing techniques in the 7th century and differences between the quality of urban and rural knives. Analysis of cemetery knives revealed that there was some correlation between the knife and the deceased. Comparison of knives from England, Dublin and Europe revealed that the Vikings had little direct impact on England's knife manufacturing industry, although there was a change in manufacturing methods in the 10th century towards the mass produced sandwich welded
Blakelock, Eleanor Susan
Anglo-Saxon ; Viking ; Iron ; Steel ; Knives ; Manufacture ; Archaeometallurgy ; Settlements ; Cemeteries ; Status ; Medieval iron industry
The early medieval cutting edge of technology : an archaeometallurgical, technological and social study of the manufacture and use of Anglo-Saxon and Viking iron knives, and their contribution to the early medieval iron economy. A review of archaeometallurgical studies carried out in the 1980s and 1990s of early medieval (c. AD410-1100) iron knives revealed several patterns, with clear differences in knife manufacturing techniques present in rural cemeteries and later urban settlements. The main aim of this research is to investigate these patterns and to gain an overall understanding of the early medieval iron industry. This study has increased the number of knives analysed from a wide spectrum of sites across England, Scotland and Ireland. Knives were selected for analysis based on X-radiographs and contextual details. Sections were removed for more detailed archaeometallurgical analysis. The analysis revealed a clear change through time, with a standardisation in manufacturing techniques in the 7th century and differences between the quality of urban and rural knives. Analysis of cemetery knives revealed that there was some correlation between the knife and the deceased. Comparison of knives from England, Dublin and Europe revealed that the Vikings had little direct impact on England's knife manufacturing industry, although there was a change in manufacturing methods in the 10th century towards the mass produced sandwich welded
early_medieval cut edge technology archaeometallurgical technological social study manufacture use anglo saxon viking iron knife early_medieval iron economy review archaeometallurgical studies carry early_medieval c_ad iron knife reveal several pattern clear_difference knife manufacture_technique present rural cemetery later urban_settlement main_aim investigate pattern gain overall early_medieval iron_industry study increase_number knife analyse wide spectrum site_across england scotland_ireland select analysis base contextual detail sections remove detailed archaeometallurgical analysis analysis_reveal clear change_time standardisation manufacturing technique difference quality urban_rural knife analysis cemetery reveal correlation knife decease comparison knife england dublin europe reveal vikings little direct impact england knife manufacturing industry although change manufacture method towards mass produce