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Shropshire Blacksmith Forges Viking Anchor for Denmark Ship
21 Jul
Summary
- A Shropshire blacksmith is creating an authentic anchor for a Viking ship.
- The anchor will be forged using traditional bloomery iron, not modern steel.
- The completed eighth-century authentic anchor will weigh 10 kilograms.
A blacksmith from Shropshire, Rowan Taylor, is participating in a significant project in Denmark, focusing on recreating an authentic anchor for a Viking ship. The invitation to Aggersborg represents a significant professional opportunity for Taylor, whose extensive research into ancient anchor forging methods will be put to the test.
The team will eschew modern materials, opting instead for bloomery iron—the very substance employed by Viking smiths centuries ago. This authentic approach is being led by bloomery expert Jens Olesen, who previously collaborated with Taylor.
The anchor is destined for the Huld, a meticulously reconstructed Viking vessel based in Aggersborg. This experimental archaeology initiative grew from discussions at the Aggersborg Viking Craft Meeting, aiming to explore large-scale forging with bloomery iron.
Taylor expressed excitement about the project, viewing it as a chance to validate his research on joinery techniques and the functional capabilities of ancient anchors. The goal is to create a working artifact, not merely a museum display, allowing for comparison with archaeological records.
