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The Social and Material Context of the Iron Age Blacksmith in North Norway

2012; Routledge; Volume: 29; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/08003831.2012.678718

1503-111X

Roger Jørgensen,

Archaeology and ancient environmental studies

Abstract The prehistoric blacksmith was not only considered a craftsman but was a mythical figure who may have served many roles and purposes. Ethnoarchaeological research has brought to our attention the many functions the prehistoric blacksmith may have filled and his many roles in society. Gender and ethnicity are additional issues. This article explores the north Norwegian blacksmith, his craft and his social status. A complete inventory of the Late Iron Age finds of blacksmith's tools is presented and a detailed study of three main types of blacksmith's tools – hammers, anvils and forging tongs – is conducted to better understand the nature of the work of the blacksmith. Except for a few forging tongs, most tools are quite small, indicating they had been used by an all-purpose blacksmith who mainly worked small iron objects and soft metals. A recurring question is how to understand graves with blacksmith's tools. Do these graves represent blacksmiths, or was blacksmithing such a high-status craft that blacksmith's tools were deposited in graves to add to the deceased's status? The blacksmith's tools studied here show signs of wear and tear indicating that these tools had been used for their intended purpose. It is thus likely that those buried with high-status objects as well as blacksmith's tools at least partly mastered blacksmithing. Also, blacksmith's tools in graves are often found together with objects indicating high status, such as weapons and hunting and riding equipment. This strongly suggests that the craft of blacksmithing was related to high status. Keywords: BlacksmithsBlacksmith's toolsSmithiesGrave goodsLate Iron AgeSocial statusNorth Norway Notes 1. In Table 1, Korsnes in Karlsøy is listed with 11 blacksmith's tools. Seven of these are registered as “iron rods/augers”; as it is highly uncertain if these are to be considered blacksmith's tools, I have chosen not to include this grave among the richest blacksmith's graves.