Discovering how a bark shield from the Iron Age was made | Curator's Corner Se9 Ep2 | Sophia Adams
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Published 2024-05-16
Curator of European and Roman Conquest period, Sophia Adams and this extraordinary team follow a trail of clues from laboratory findings at the British Museum, to marks and patterns on the remains of the shield itself, as they forensically piece together how this bark shield would have been constructed 2200 years ago.
This shield project was made possible by the inspiration and knowledge of Matthew Beamish and the skills and dedication of a team of field archaeologists, experimental archaeologists, independent specialists, conservators and scientists from The British Museum, University of Leicester Archaeological Services le.ac.uk/ulas, SUERC and York Archaeological Trust; including Caroline Cartwright and Barbara Wills (BM); Prof. Melanie Giles, Matthew Beamish, Adam Clapton and Roger Kipling (ULAS); Diederik Pomstra, Paul Windridge and Michael Bamforth. With thanks to Everards of Leicestershire and Mike Winterton and family.
#experimentalarchaeology #woodcraft #woodworking #basketry #ironage #shield #barkshield
All Comments (21)
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Some of you may have missed it, but we sat down with curator, Sophia Adams after the previous Enderby shield film (SE8 Ep7), and asked her to answer some of your questions. The most important one being… https://youtu.be/vDYDyhcUiPI?feature=shared&t=1274
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If I may humbly add that, if you harvest green bark and it's under layer, you can add wax and heat to turn it more leathery. I play at stick making and find that if you warm the bark, add melted wax, heat, add wax, over and over until it won't accept any more. I've done this on maple and oak.
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Wonderful to get this kind of presentation from a group of archeologists who are outstanding in their field. Also, out sitting in their field.
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So glad there are people who spend the time and money to recreate ancient times! Enjoyed this and a lovely job!
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This is my idea of a great use for museums and their budgets...learning what it took to maintain life in a past so distant we can't even imagine it. So we do it, and learn what they knew! TYVM for doing it and showing it to us.
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Totally fascinating. What a great bunch of experts.
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Australia still has some "shield trees/scar trees" with a large oval scar were aboriginals removed a piece or bark to make it into a shield. Interesting comparison
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Love me some experimental archaeology
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Nice to watch something for 16 minutes without people shouting and insulting each other; best to you all.
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Really shows the value of experimental archeology and reconstruction!
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3:40 "You wouldn't expect someone going into battle waving a bark shield..." At first thought maybe, but add a second thought regarding the number of slingers who will be on the battlefield. A stout piece of wood between you and a lead ball the width of your thumb arriving at speed is a good thing.
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Curators corner is wonderful!
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Great video! And amazing to see the shield on display in the British Museum 👍🏻
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You can definitely learn a lot about items by making your own.
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Nice!! You guys didn't steal this one! Way to go, team! 👏🏼👏🏼
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Thank you for showing how you worked out the possible way the shield was made. I think it works for me.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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Sally Pointer has a u tube channel that shows a lot of early textile working techniques Well worth searching for. She deals with harvesting and preparing a range of natural fibres.
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Wonderful video! Thank you!
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I still want to know how it would have held up against different Iron Age weapons. Since there was a prototype as well as the finished replica, I really hope that they're at least considering making a follow-up film where people wail on it with swords and spears and stuff.
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Very interesting video! want a sheild of my own now... but they i'd need a sword os some sort... and the cloathing....
