Archaeology

This investigation into the study of the Viking shield will include analysis and interpretation of archaeological material, from England and the Isle of Man, with wider parallels being drawn upon from the Scandinavian homelands.
    Historical evidence from Saga’s and historical accounts for this period will be used to enhance the vibrancy of the Viking shield and show the role of it as a symbolic object within Viking Society.
    This is an ever evolving topic of study and it has opened up new areas for investigation as well as the potential for further cataloging and re-evaluation of Viking age archaeology throughout the 8th-11th centuries.

Abstract: This investigation into the study of the Viking shield will include analysis and interpretation of archaeological material, from England and the Isle of Man, with wider parallels being drawn upon from the Scandinavian homelands. Historical evidence from Saga’s and historical accounts for this period will be used to enhance the vibrancy of the Viking shield and show the role of it as a symbolic object within Viking Society.

During this festive time of year, it's easy to get consumed by the modern glitter and tinsel. Everyone knows that allot of the modern traditions stem from previous pagan cultural traditions, but what about this seasonal celebration during the Viking Age?

Nalbinding is a craft that has been done for thousands of years; Nalbinding-single needle knitting is a fibre craft that has been shrouded in isolated corners of heritage interpretation and within living history groups; but are there other groups of interested individuals who could help learn and develop this craft? As interest in this heritage craft grows there are considerations to think about as to where this craft can find further places to thrive. This paper will assess Nalbinding within the traditional areas of use and touch upon relevant issues regarding heritage interpretation and the affect this has on Nalbinding as a heritage craft.

This paper assess the craft in the UK from a cultural heritage point of view.

This conference poster has been created for the 'Fibres in Early Textiles Conference' held by the Early Textile Study Group. It outlines a new research project which will be undertaken to inform the archaeology, history, use and demonstration of Nalbinding as a heritage craft within the UK.

This is based off of the endangered heritage listing that Nalbinding received in March 2019 from the UK Heritage Craft Association.

Nalbinding – single needle knitting is a heritage craft that is starting to generate allot of interest within the UK. It was listed as an endangered Heritage craft in the UK in March 2019 by the Heritage Craft Association and more people are starting to think about the story of it as a craft.

This oral and social history project relating to Nalbinding is all about finding out to what extent nalbinding has stayed a conscious memory and a family tradition; and in what parts of the UK this is more prevalent. This will enlighten us about the craft itself, but also the stories of people experiencing the craft back into the recent past. Even as a child these memories can be profound and provide a very real link to the narrative of this craft. Whether you are a fiber worker, knitter or crafter in crotchet, come from a fiber past or just have a story to tell Nidavellnir would love to hear from you!

The fascinating aspect regarding this craft is that as the profile of it is raised; people are coming forward stating they can remember within their family, individuals sitting crafting in this manner with one single needle, making hats, socks and gloves.
  If you think you have a Nalbinding story to tell, Nidavellnir would love to hear from you as part of this investigation into the social memory of this craft.

Get in-touch email:
[email protected]
To find out more about nalbinding:
www.facebook.com/nidavellnir
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In the modern world currently, there is an interest in and desire to understand ancient craft technologies, along with learning the practical side of these skills. Nålbinding is a craft which has been taught and demonstrated for the last 50 years, mainly within heritage and re-enactment communities. The cultural and social history of this craft has survived as a narrative better in some countries than others. In some places it has completely disappeared, leaving only fragmented archaeological remains behind. With a limited collection of archaeological examples surviving, each nålbinder or scholar comes up with their own way of assessing, learning and teaching this craft. In many cases it is this practical knowledge that is passed-down from archaeologists or fibre historians to a student; this then starts to create its own social application of the craft. Once that tutor has gone or the student moves on, nålbinding then can either evolve into an artistic craft form for the nålbinder, or frequently it slips back into the mists of time, until someone finds it again. It’s teaching, understanding and research needs to be constantly investigated so that it can be understood for others. Nålbinding is also not just a fixed historical craft, it has the ability to evolve and adapt into the modern world too.

The 2018 ReConference was a multidisciplinary gathering of professionals and amateurs engaging in the fields of living history and re-enactment, held in Copenhagen at the National of Museum of Denmark. Its aim was to ask the dangerous questions of what is that we are actually doing, and why? One of the results was the following collection of articles provided by the participants, which is set to be the beginning of a regular journal.

Until then we invite you to flip through the pages or download the whole publication in PDF form by following the link bellow.

Hello everyone. This month we celebrate the 1st May 2021 with a post by Emma ‘Bruni’ Boast (MA). Emma is a champion of what I think is a really exciting fibre craft, nalbinding. In this post she tells us all about this ancient craft from an archaeologist’s and heritage crafter’s perspective in ‘The never-ending explanations, interpretations and educations of a Heritage Crafter in the UK’.

Nalbinding uses short lengths of yarn and a single needle to careful construct knotted stitches to form solid, warm and durable textiles. But how was this ancient craft done in the past?

Let's take a look shall we and learn about the archaeological examples that have inspired people to investigate more about this endangered craft! Let's find out what Nalbinding means to folks nowadays, and start to understand its place as an Endangered Heritage Craft.

For this free lecture, please go to my YouTube Channel:
@nidavellnirnalbindinguk