In Denmark, students and lecturers are recreating a Viking Age anchor using traditional methods, with the help of research on early medieval anchors. According to Rowan Taylor of the UK's National School of Blacksmithing, X-rays were used to analyze the original construction of similar anchors, allowing for the reproduction of the iron layers and weld lines. The team is working at Aggersborg in northern Denmark, where a reconstructed boat is also being built. A simpler anchor made from wood and stone is also demonstrated as part of the experiment.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In northern Denmark, a team of blacksmiths and historians have recreated a Viking Age anchor using traditional methods and materials. The project was led by Rowan Taylor from the UK's National School of Blacksmithing, who used X-rays to study the original construction of an ancient anchor. The team heated and hammered bloomery iron, a type of iron made from smelting ore, to shape the anchor into its distinctive form. The process took place at Aggersborg in northern Denmark, where a reconstructed boat was also seen sailing on the nearby Limfjord. The project aims to demonstrate the skills required for Viking smiths to create their tools and ships, even when steel was scarce. In fact, the team created a simpler anchor made from wood and stone as well, which is intended for use on a reconstructed workboat based on the Gislinge boat.
Written for “Viking Age Anchor Replica” on 2026-08-31,
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No political leaning scored for article 2281 · logged 2026-08-27
Students and lecturers hammer bloomery iron into a Viking Age anchor at Aggersborg in northern Denmark.
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Students → hammer → Denmark
The video shows the team heating the metal, operating bellows and shaping the anchor.
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team → show → anchor
A reconstructed boat is also seen sailing on the Limfjord.
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boat → reconstruct → Limfjord
The project uses materials and methods based on research into early medieval anchors.
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project → use → anchors
Rowan Taylor of the UK's National School of Blacksmithing says X-rays helped identify weld lines and layers of different types of iron, allowing the team to reproduce the original construction.
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team → say → construction
The work shows how Viking smiths adapted when steel was scarce.
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steel → show → ?
The anchor is intended for a reconstructed workboat based on the Gislinge boat.
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anchor → intend → boat
Boat builder Peter Madsbøl also demonstrates a simpler anchor made from wood and stone.
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Madsbøl → demonstrate → wood
The experiment aims to show the skill involved in making the tools and ships that supported Viking voyages.
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that → aim → voyages
