Crafting program
Crafts at the various homesteads
Fotevikens Vikingamuseum has since the start engaged in and developed crafts. These are proud traditions, experimental archaeology and keeping techniques alive. The museum has a group of craftsmen actively working to teach techniques and tradition in relation to historical resources, in particular during our special activity weeks.
Ironworking in the forge (10)
The Foteviken Viking museum has a master blacksmith who knows everything about working with iron. From extracting iron from bog ore all the way to the finished object. Everything from nail to the sword, from the knife to hammer, to fire steel and hooks. A blacksmith's work never ends.
Silver and bronze casting, coin minting at the Lawman's manor (12a)
Of course we create our own cast items. At the Lawman's manor we do silver, bronze and tin casting. Thor hammers, crosses and other symbols. We also mint our own coins here, the Fotemark.
Cooking and baking at the bakery and cook house (8c och 8d)
At the Bakery we work with historical food. Fresh butter and buns straight out of the oven. If you are lucky you may get a taste during the afternoon. We also grow a lot of herbs for use in our cooking. A cooking pit and smoker are also frequently used where we cook fish we have caught ourselves.
Ceramics at the Merchant's manor pottery (7c)
We manufacture ceramics with historic techniques to make credible copies of Viking pottery. We use the techniques the vikings used, so we modify our clay to include gravel or crushed quartz. This is increases the strength when burning the clay.
Woodworking at the Merchant's manor timber workshop (7e)
Carving wood is an ancient craft. Wood is one of the most versatile materials we have and it can be used for almost everything. When building new houses here wood is the most common building material, but we also make other things from wood: bowls, plates, spoons, stools, tables, benches and beds etc.
Textile at the Weaver's manor weaver workshop (9b)
We spin, weaveand sew. The Weaver farm are were we doing everything that has to do with textiles. From taking wool from sheep, treat the various processes to finished yarn, weaving cloth and sewing of garments. We even weave decorative tablet weaves and color wool with different plants.
Amber at the Lawman's manor workshop (12b)
The only gemstone that is actually organic, the rest are minerals. Amber was also a big part of the Vikings merchandise when they went on their merchant trips. Here at Foteviken Viking museum we process amber and while hard to work with, the end result is perhaps the most beautiful jewelry we get at the museum.
Glass beads at the Forge's pearl workshop (10b)
It is in the forge we shape and create our beautiful glass beads. Vikings really liked to adorn themselves with beads, in their hair, beard, clothes and other things. It is a craft that requires a lot of focus when there are high temperatures that must be handled in a safe manner. Glass beads are manufactured in many colors and color combinations.
Bone and horn at the tannery workshop (6e)
At the Tanners manor we process bone and horn. There are many objects that can be created by the legs and horns like tools, needles, stems, jewelry and buttons.
Leather at the tannery (6a)
Besides wood, leather is the most useful material Vikings had. Leather can be used in everything from clothing to tools, jewelry to the cap. During the summer we tan leather and make purses, belts, shoes and clothes of leather.
