Ancient Technology
The Making of Roman Metal Ink Pen Nibs
Roman Bronze Ink Pen Nibs
Introduction
The main objective of this research was to establish the amount of time taken and the material lost to manufacture Roman pen nibs made for copper alloy and additionally iron. The original copper alloy ink pen nib being reconstructed for this set of experiments was published by Rees (1979, p.179c).
The original iron ink pen nib was published by Birley (1994).
Production parameters
“Look at the Bones!” - Adding Bone in a Bloomery Iron Smelt
Introduction
“Vikings unwittingly made their swords stronger by trying to imbue them with spirits.
Iron Age Scandinavians only had access to poor quality iron, which put them at a tactical disadvantage against their neighbors.
To strengthen their swords, smiths used the bones of their dead ancestors and animals, hoping to transfer the spirit into their blades.
They couldn't have known that in so doing, they were forging a rudimentary form of steel.“
Matt Davis (2019)
Testing Roman Glass in the Flame
Introduction
Experiments on glass bead techniques used in antiquity have produced many insights into how early medieval beadmakers made their beads (Heaser, 2018). The studies mainly focused on early medieval beads found in cemeteries of the fifth and sixth centuries AD in England. Replica tools and a simple modern blow torch were used to simulate the conditions of the ancient beadmakers (See Appendix 1).
Garum Sardiniae in Tabula: Rediscovering the Ancient Taste of Roman Cuisine
Reconstructing Ötzi’s shoes
Scandinavian Arrowheads of the Viking Age, Their Manufacture and Distribution
Experimental Weaving and Twining with Ceramic Crescents from the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic in Southwestern Iberia
Anglo-Saxon Beads: Redefining The “Traffic Lights”
“Cuts Stones of all Sorts, In the Best Manner…”: Experiments in 18th Century lapidary work in America
Introduction
Colonial Williamsburg is unique among open-air museums. It encompasses 70 hectares (173 acres), where there are no barriers, except for motorised vehicles. Visitors can walk along the streets and visit shops, although an admission ticket is needed to enter workshops and interpretive centres. People working at Colonial Williamsburg are dressed in period costumes and are well versed in both history, the crafts they demonstrate, and in explaining them to the public.