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For a complete list of scheduled events, please download the CanIRON Programme (PDF - 48.4 KB). As the details or events become available, we will post them here.
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To download a map of Annapolis Royal, surrounding attractions and the locations of the scheduled events, click here.
Open Competition - Viking Blacksmith
The equipment and materials available to the Norse blacksmith was
significantly different that than used by even the 'traditional' smith.
Fires are small, air provided by simple 'side by side' double chamber
bellows, most typically set in the ground. The charcoal fuel was be piled
against a stone 'bellows shield'. Although welding temperatures are
possible, this is far from easy to achieve. Period anvils were extremely
small - less than 10 x 10 cm and perhaps 10 kg - or even a large stone!
The smith would purchase his metal as short bars of wrought iron - and
would have to first form the rods themselves before an object could be
forged. Tools were familiar, but limited in selection.
This competition would be part educational, part skill - and a lot
of fun. Teams of two would be provided the following:
- Forge - 'bowl' ground forge, firing charcoal
- Bellows - double bag type, with bellows stone (cast of refractory cement)
- Anvil - stone set on the ground
- Tools - 800 gm square face hammer / one pair tongs / one cutting, one round hole punch
- Material - provided with piece of wrought iron 5/8 sq by 8" long
- Project - each team make a tool of some type.
- Time - 1 hour
The competition would take place over an afternoon or evening. The
DARC team would provide set ups for three forges with tools, as well as
direct supervision. The limitation of the unusual tools should provide
more of a 'level playing field' for newcomers against experienced smiths.
Experimental Iron Smelt
This experimental smelt of iron ore will use methods and equipment based on that of the Viking Age circa 1000 AD, and is presented as part of the public outreach at CANIRON 5. The process of firing the 'boxed short shaft furnace' (about 30 cm wide and 60 cm tall) with charcoal will take over five hours - making it a day long process. This demonstration is part of an ongoing series experimental archaeology projects to determine the possible methods (details currently unknown) used by Norse smiths to produce metallic iron.
The demonstration iron smelt would be conducted by members of the Dark Ages Recreation Company, under the direction of Viking Age specialist Darrell Markewitz. Undertaken as living history style presentation, presenters will be dressed in historically accurate clothing and using reproduction equipment from the period.
Also on display will be a full reconstruction of a Viking Age 'sand table' blacksmith's forge. As well a selection of reproduction forged items (tools, weapons, domestic ware) will be on on hand. Team members would provide on going commentary on not only the smelting process, but on ironwork in the Viking Age in general.
More information on DARC's iron smelts can be found at www.darkcompany.ca/iron
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