Ancient Jewelry: The Vikings

     The History Channel's new 9-part series "Vikings" explores the complex society of the Norsemen at the end of the eight century.  We think of Vikings as large, hulking figures who pillaged and plundered in their conquest of neighboring lands.  But the Vikings were also traders and skilled craftsmen.  Beautiful jewelry was one of their hallmarks.

     Our knowledge of Norse jewelry comes from items discovered in hoards and burial sites.  In September 2011, a huge hoard of Viking artifacts dating back to around 900 A.D. was discovered just outside of Silverdale, Lancashire in England.  The Silverdale find consisted of more than two hundred pieces of jewelry and coins stored in a metal casket.  The pieces included arm rings, finger rings, brooch fragments and coins.

     Both Norse men and women wore jewelry as a sign of wealth.  Brooches made of bronze were the most common jewelry items.  Silver was often used but gold was rare.  The Vikings created jewelry by making a wax mold and pouring melted metal into it.  The wax mold was broken once the metal had cooled and the piece was buffed until it shone.  This is called the "lost wax" method.  Early in their history the Viking's jewelry was very simple but later they created beautiful, intricate pieces.

     Jewelry was often used as a form of currency.  Vikings wore arm and neck rings made of silver from which they would hack off pieces to make payment for goods and services.  This type of jewelry is referred to as hack silver and a large amount was found in the Silverdale hoard.