INDEX to the Norse Encampment -Daily Life in the Viking Age circa 1000 AD at Vinland. The Viking Encampment living history program at Parks Canada L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC in Newfoudland

the Norse Encampment Living History for the Viking Age

The 'Norse Encampment' is the collective name given to a series of living history programs, which illustrate daily life in the Viking Age. Historic interpreters, employing replica objects, bring the past to life through typical activities of the Norse, and portraying historic styled characters. Throughout the series exceptional care was taken to ensure everything involved in a presentation was reflective of current archaeological research. One cornerstone of all the presentations was reference to the Vinland voyages by the Norse, circa 1000 AD.

An Introduction to the Norse Encampment
Complete Index of Articles
Those individual articles included in more than one section will be boxed in pale gray.

Main Section	Individual Topic
L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC	Original Program Design	An overview of how the original interpretive program at L'Anse aux Meadows physically presented. Describes the work stations and the characterizations used.
	Prototype - 1996 Under Preparation	For 10 days in August of 1996, a small team of four interpreters mounted a prototype presentation of living history for the Viking Age at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC. This is a short overview of that initial presentation.
	Mission Statement	From it's original inception in fall of 1992, the Norse Encampment was intended to be a professional level program. For this reason, a defining 'Mission Statement' was one of the first tasks undertaken. As the program has developed, this Mission Statement has helped to keep the processes and objectives of the program clear.
	Lessons from the Viking Age	This academic paper was written in early 1998 about various aspects of the Interpretive program developed for L' Anse aux Meadows NHS. The version available here was given at the 27th Annual Association for Living Historical Farms & Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) Conference at University of Waterloo. This version deals with more of the practical aspects of the creation and operation of the Viking Encampment program.
	Press Release 1996 Presentation	This is a copy of the original press release used to promote the 1996 presentation. Parks Canada and the Viking Trail Tourism Association co-sponsored this two week long demonstration. This served as a test of the feasibility of developing a full time living history program for the L' Anse aux Meadows site.
	Creating the Replicas	The impact of the Norse Encampment owes a great deal to the collection of detailed reproductions that surround the interpretive staff. Producing detailed copies of early period artifacts involves both research and craftsmanship. This segment details the approaches and problems of the process.
	Mainlanders Guide To Newfoundland	Although originally prepared in 2000, this guide for travelers to Newfoundland in general, and L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC in particular, still provides some valuable information.
	Viking Farewell by Birgitta Wallace	" The weather a thousand years ago was warmer and the supply of resources seemingly endless. Why then did the Norse abandon North America? " A duplicate of an article originally published on the web stite of the Bever.
Artifacts and Replicas	Creating the Replicas	The impact of the Norse Encampment owes a great deal to the collection of detailed reproductions that surround the interpretive staff. Producing detailed copies of early period artifacts involves both research and craftsmanship. This segment details the approaches and problems of the process.
	Plans & Drawings	Of special interest to re-enactors of the Viking Age is a series of production drawings used in the creation of the artifact reproductions for the Norse Encampment.
	Knives from the Viking Age	This is a draft version of an ongoing research project to gather together artifact evidence from a number of sources into an overview of knives from the Viking Age. Although not a finished report, it may prove interesting to re-enactors and bladesmiths.
	Pewter Casting in Soapstone	A basic overview of this technique. Some reference to artifact prototypes, but this is primarily a guide for home artisans.
	'Aunt Martha's & Damthings'	Why an object might survive into our modern age is reliant on a number of often quite random factors. Accidents of preservation may result in a quite odd reflection of the past. This commentary suggests that objects alone may not always be quite what they seem.
	Physical Demonstrations on YouTube	There are a growing number of short videos available which document primarily two aspects of the ongoing work related to the Norse Encampment program: The series listed here are demonstrations of physical techniques, primarily related to the production of various replica and reproduction objects used in the program.
	Objects for OUTLANDER	A wide range of historically accurate Viking Age cookware and tools were produced for the 2008 film OUTLANDER. This is a commentary on the work undertaken, and the process of coverting artifacts to working replicas.
	Replicas from the Wareham Forge	The Wareham Forge was started because of an interest in creating working replicas of Viking Age objects. Over the years, a large number of detailed replicas have been produced for both museum exhibits and living history programs. This has included objects for serious re-enactors - even feature films. This gallery style overview features a number of these replicas with commentaries on historic sources, technical methods and general observations.
A Teachers Guide	a Teacher's Guide to the World of the Norse	This is a very brief overview of the Norse of the Viking Age, prepared to act as a guide for Elementary level teachers (1993). Although very general in nature (!) it does cover the main topic areas : daily life, ships and travel, trade and warfare, religion.
	Bibliography	A short annotated list of books suggested to be helpful for basic research or in a class room situation. Prepared to accompany the Teacher's Guide.
	World of the Norse	The World of the Norse was a stand alone exhibit created in 2001 for the Cranbrook Institute of Science. View a virtual tour of the three 'room settings' and hundreds of individual replicas that made up the exhibit
	Full Circle, First Contact	This is a short introduction to the Norse and the Viking Age that was written to accompany the presentation of this exhibit at the Woodstock Museum in 2000.
Research	Lessons from the Viking Age	This academic paper was written in early 1998 about various aspects of the Interpretive program developed for L' Anse aux Meadows NHS. The version available here was given at the 27th Annual Association for Living Historical Farms & Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) Conference at University of Waterloo. This version deals with more of the practical aspects of the creation and operation of the Viking Encampment program.
	Knives from the Viking Age	This is a draft version (2007) of an ongoing research project to gather together artifact evidence from a number of sources into an overview of knives from the Viking Age. Although not a finished report, it may prove interesting to re-enactors and bladesmiths.
	World of the Norse	The World of the Norse was a stand alone exhibit created in 2001 for the Cranbrook Institute of Science. View a virtual tour of the three 'room settings' and hundreds of individual replicas that made up the exhibit
	Continuing Adventures in Early Iron Production	An overview of experimental iron smelts, 2001 - 2008. Friends of the Medieval Studies Society of the Royal Ontario Museum 1st Annual Symposium March 2006. Revised for publication, December 2008. " This paper outlines the experiments ... undertaken to date, the results and lessons learned, and discusses some insights that may be of interest to the larger community of researchers."
	Iron Smelting in Vinland	Converting Archaeological Evidence to Practical Method. Presented at 'Forward Into the Past', Wilfred Laurier University, April, 2010 The full text of the revised version (V3 - June 2010) available as a PDF.
	“But if you don't get any IRON...”	Towards an effective method for small iron smelting furnaces. " This essay will concentrate on describing a proven working system, based on Migration Era models, which has repeatedly produced historic type iron blooms. " An article prepared for the journal EuroREA, scheduled for publication in the Spring 2011 issue.
Interpreting the Viking Age	Under Construction
Experimental Iron Smelting	Experimental IRON SMELTING Full Documentation	How did the Norse during the Viking Age make iron blooms from bog ore? Experimental Archaeology can give insight into the techniques used in Northern Europe to operate direct reduction iron smelting furnaces. This is the separate section documenting the experiments conducted since 2001, including research, field reports, photographs & video.
	Adventures in Early Iron Production	An overview of experimental iron smelts, 2001 - 2005. Friends of the Medieval Studies Society of the Royal Ontario Museum 1st Annual Symposium March 2006. " This paper outlines the experiments ... undertaken to date, the results and lessons learned, and discusses some insights that may be of interest to the larger community of researchers."
	Continuing Adventures in Early Iron Production	An overview of experimental iron smelts, to 2008. This is a revised version of the original paper, prepared for potential publication in December 2008. It covers the results from 39 experiments (the original version only 13), yet at the same time was reduced in length about 50%!
	Iron Smelting in Vinland	Converting Archaeological Evidence to Practical Method. Presented at 'Forward Into the Past', Wilfred Laurier University, April, 2010 The full text of the revised version of this formal paper (V3 - June 2010) available as a PDF.
	“But if you don't get any IRON...”	Towards an effective method for small iron smelting furnaces. " This essay will concentrate on describing a proven working system, based on Migration Era models, which has repeatedly produced historic type iron blooms. " An article prepared for the journal EuroREA, scheduled for publication in the Spring 2011 issue.
	Concerning the Shape of Blooms	How do the blooms being produced in current experimental smelts compare with the artifact samples? Originally published on the blog 'Hammered Out Bits' this short article has a more formal structure (footnotes and references).
	Towards an Icelandic Smelt -	Based on the remains at Hals Prepared with the assistance of Kevin Smith & Neil Peterson This is an 'in house' document outlining the archaeology and thought behind the Icelandic / Sod Smelter series started in 2007
	The EconoNorse Iron Smelter	The EconoNorse small test smelter takes its rough size and general operating characteristics from a blend of Viking Age archaeology and modern practical experience. It has simple construction and is made of easy to gather materials. The rough form was developed in Fall of 2004 by members of the Dark Ages Re-Creation Company, with further refinements made in February of 2005 with guidance from Sauder / Williams / McCarthy.
	Experimental Iron Smelting on YouTube	There are a growing number of short videos available which document primarily two aspects of the ongoing work related to the Norse Encampment program: The series listed here are segments documenting individual experimental iron smelting experiments undertaken by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company.
Dark Ages Re-creation Company	An Introduction To DARC	" The Dark Ages Re-creation Company seeks to create an environment that stresses historic re-creation of the Viking Age through the use of strict interpretation at a 'role playing' level and authenticity guidelines regulated by peer review. The Company intends to provide a resource of skilled and experienced historic interpreters and physical demonstrators to museums and educational programs. "
	DARC at LAM 2010 Press Release	This is the 'Unofficial' press release / background information posted by DARC on the internet to promote its August 2010 presentation at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC.
	the DARC web site off the Encampment series	This link will take you to the separate DARC web site. Here the Company records its ongoing experimental archaeology projects (textiles, glass bead making, iron smelting) plus research in many areas. There is also a photo record of past musuem presentations. Information is available on our interpretive stance and demonstration methods.
from the Wareham Forge	Historic Replicas & Reproductions	Over the years, a wide range of historic objects have been created by the Wareham Forge. The objects shown in this gallery of past work mark a number of differing time periods, and include both forge work and sheet forming techniques.
	General Information & CUSTOM ORDERS	The Wareham Forge primarily produces custom ordered replicas of a range of objects from the Viking Age from the Viking Age.
	Objects for OUTLANDER	A wide range of historically accurate Viking Age cookware and tools were produced for the 2008 film OUTLANDER. This is a commentary on the work undertaken, and the process of coverting artifacts to working replicas.
	Norse COOKWARE	The Wareham Forge produces a number of replicas of specific artifact cookware items. This includes several different pots and cauldrons in both steel, copper and brass
	an 'Iron' Cauldron	Under Preparation
	Hand Forged KNIVES	The Wareham Forge produces layered steel blades using both the 'Damascus' (flat stack) and 'Pattern Weld' (twisted cores) methods. Primarily undertaken as custom commissions, past work has included a wide range of styles and sizes - from replica Norse carving knives through to fantasy great swords.
	JEWELERY Cast Petwer	Replicas of specific small artifacts. Forged steel broaches, cast bronze and pewter pendants, pins and strap ends. All made by the Wareham Forge, many using 1000 year old production methods!
	OTHER OBJECTS	Sea Chest Hinges, Ship Rivets, small Knives...
	Silver Pennies	Replica solid sterling silver coins, struck by hand using coin dies reproducing those found in York, England circa 950 AD! The page also provides some information on coins and coinage during the Viking Age.
	'VIKING GAME'	The most popular game of the Viking Age was hnefatafl. It is a game with simple rules, but when it is combined with cunning minds, can become a battle of strategy! A modern version of the Norse game from the Wareham Forge.
	Designing 'Viking Game'	A commentary describing the process of researching and designing Viking Game. How were the rules developed? Details how individual source artifacts served as the starting point to develop the graphic design for this modern version of an ancient game.
	Forging the Viking Age (DVD)	This 2 1/2 hour program documents the creation of a number of the forged metal objects created for the 1997 'Viking Encampment' Program at L'Anse aux Meadows NHSC for Parks Canada. It contains commentary on objects from the Viking Age, details on how the pieces were produced and forging sequences.
	Exploring Viking Age Denmark (data DVD)	This disk contains over 400 large format images, each with notes. The publication also contains many commentaries on the individual museums and also travel around Denmark in general. The overall stress is on materials related to the Viking Age.
	Experimental Iron Smelting from the Viking Age (CD-ROM)	This disk is a collection of materials related to an ongoing experiments by the Dark Ages Re-creation Company concerned with Iron in the Viking Age. There are also a series of illustrated articles outlining the work and equipment of the Norse Blacksmith, plus others related metalworking and smelting. The collection contains over 2000 images, working drawings and plans.
	Smelting Iron Course	Learn to build and sucessfully operate a direct process iron bloomery furnace! Introduction to Iron Smelting : is a two day program at the Wareham Forge. For more details - go to the full description. Archaeology & Experiment - Iron Smelting : is a three to four day program held at an institution. For more details - go to the full description.
LINKS

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The research and documentation here is supported by
the Wareham Forge

Darrell Markewitz
Interpretive Program Designer

The Wareham Forge
The Hamlet of Wareham, R.R. #2
Proton Station, Ontario
CANADA - N0C 1L0
(519) 923-9219 // E-Mail

OTHER WEB PUBLICATIONS

Who is Darrell Markewitz?

Readers are also referred to:

Hammered Out Bits

This ongoing blog collection contains many shorter 'articles in progress' discussing aspects of both iron smelting and metalworking from the Viking Age, as well as topics of interest to historic re-enactors in general. A separate index is also available (updated quarterly).