Dark Ages Re-Creation Company
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DVD ISBN 978-0-9783284-2-9 Release Date - JANUARY 20, 2005 BUY IT! |
The finds at L'Anse aux Meadows at most Northern Newfoundland mark the only authenticated Norse occupation site in North America. Now considered by archaeologists to be Leif Eriksson's outpost in Vinland - Leifsbuðir.
In 1997, Professional Blacksmith and Interpretive Program Designer Darrell Markewitz was contracted by Parks Canada to create the 'Viking Encampment' for L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC. The Viking Encampment presentation included some 150 replica objects. A staff of six, was trained to portray the people and elements of the life as it would have been undertaken by the Norse in Vinland circa 1000 AD. Creation of these pieces required extensive research, application of historic techniques, and close attention to details.
This two and a half hour program was taped during the creation of these same replicas and reproductions. Forging the Viking Age centres on the forge work. Follow the production of a number of specific objects, with commentary on both the original source artifacts and detailed background on the replicas. Much of the footage takes place in the forge, as raw bars are hammered into the finished objects.
FORGING the Viking Age will be of special interest to the blacksmith, the Norse re-enactor - or anyone with a deep interest in history.
| Introduction to the Encampment | A background look at the material culture of the Viking Age, as it relates to the Encampment series of living history programs. This is a walk through of a Viking Age camp, examining a number of the objects seen latter in production. |
| Cauldron Hangers | An overview of the elaborate cauldron hangers found in Norse and Saxon burials. A close up description of the approximately three meter long hanger made for the 1996 presentation. Follow the creation of the new hanger as it is made - from producing the bars to final assembly of the many elaborate forged elements. |
| Carving Knife | A record of the metalwork involved in reproducing a small folding carving knife, based on the sample found at Coppergate in York England. Starting with a bar of tools steel, see the forging, finishing and heat treating of the blade, along with a description of how the final mechanism works. |
| Box Hinge | Shows the production of two variants on the well known "loop and tab" style hinge found on Norse sea chests. First is an exact reproduction of the hinges found on the Mastermyr Sea Chest. Second is a simpler version requiring less forging skill and time. |
| Axes | A number of types and sizes of axes were created for the Encampment. The sequence starts with the raw materials and a consideration of Viking Age construction methods. This is followed with the production of three differing axes. Two are small belt axes, using the looped and welded method including an inset carbon steel edge (demonstration forge welding). Also shown is work on the fine tool axe from Mastermyr (with punched eye). |
| Spiral Iron | Here is the forging of one of the spiral shaped cook irons. Work starts with the preparation of the bar stock, through forging the spiral. The sequence ends with a look at the finished object. |
| BONUS - Forging an Anvil | The original plan was to hand forge a replica Norse anvil, based on the T shaped sample from 1000 AD Russia. See why this project was abandoned part way through! |
Darrell Markewitz is an Interpretive Program Designer, a specialist in the Viking Age. He created the 'Norse Encampment' series of programs, starting in 1992. The culmination of this work was the 'Viking Encampment' living history presentation for Parks Canada at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC. In 2003 he designed and produced the exhibit 'World of the Norse' for the Cranbrook Institute of Science. He was part of the original concept team for the Smithsonian's 'Vikings - North Atlantic Saga'. He also worked on the educational programing related to the Newfoundland Museum's 'Full Circle - First Contact'. In 2000 he created and delivered the college level program 'Interpreting the Viking Age'.
As a working blacksmith, his experience goes back over a quarter century. Since 1992 he has operated the Wareham Forge in Grey County, Ontario. Work is split between consulting with museums, teaching and creating original art metalworks.
He has worked as an artisan / interpreter at a number of historic sites throughout North America and over a range of time periods. He was fundamental in the creation of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company, and remains a driving force behind the group's museum presentations and experimental archaeology projects.
BUY 'FORGING the Viking Age'
$25.oo CDN
$5 of every purchase goes to support DARC's ongoing research
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| Order the DVD | $30.25 Includes shipping + GST |
$29.00 Includes shipping |
| Order BOTH Forging the Viking Age & Experimental Iron Smelting |
$52.50 free shipping + GST |
$50.00 free shipping |
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These prices include 'surface' shipping via Canada Post to your address. Expect 1 -2 weeks inside Canada / 2-3 weeks across US Customs. Canadian addresses have required GST of $1.50 added (note that there is no Ontario PST applied to 'eductional materials'). For American customers - there should be no duty on this 100% Canadian made product under NAFTA.
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Look for these other Related Products and Services from the Wareham Forge
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| Viking Game | Forging the VIKING AGE | IRON SMELTING in the Viking Age | Viking Age Replicas | Iron Smelting Course |
The Hamlet of Wareham, R.R. #2 Proton Station, Ontario
CANADA - N0C 1L0
(519) 923-9219 // info@warehamforge.ca
