The Hjortspring boat
- Theofano Moraiti
- Jun 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2024
During the Scandinavian Iron Age, spanning roughly from 500 B.C. to 800 A.D., maritime activities played a crucial role in the lives of Scandinavian societies. As ironworking techniques advanced, shipbuilders began constructing larger and more sophisticated vessels capable of traversing the North and Baltic Seas. These ships facilitated trade, exploration, and warfare, contributing to the expansion of Scandinavian influence across Europe. It was amidst this maritime culture that the remarkable discovery of the Hjortspring Boat occurred, providing invaluable insights into ancient Scandinavian seafaring traditions and technological advancements.
The Hjortspring boat was discovered in 1921 by a farmer in the Hjortspring Mose area of Denmark. This discovery sparked great interest due to its uniqueness and the wealth of artifacts it contained. The boat was found in excellent condition as a result of being preserved in the bog, providing valuable insights into the maritime and warfare practices of the era. The excavation and study of the Hjortspring boat have significantly contributed to the understanding of ancient Scandinavian history and culture.
A boat like this was constructed by early Iron Age people around 350 B.C., possibly somewhere in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, although the exact location remains unknown. The remnants of a boat-like structure and iron weapons were first discovered in the 1880s in a small bog on the island of Als in Denmark. The ship is believed to have been a warship which was sunk along with some military equipment, probably as a sacrificial offering. Excavation of the bog began in 1921 and revealed a canoe over 19 meters long, primarily made of lime wood and oak planks. The boat had a keel-less, round-bottomed design with two upward bent extensions at each end. It featured craftsmanship so exquisite that the vessel weighed around 500 kg, and with 24 men and equipment onboard, the total weight was approximately 2500 kg.
The Hjortspring Find offers a comprehensive view of weaponry and armaments from the pre-Roman Iron Age, extending beyond the boat itself. Among the discoveries are over 50 lime-wood shields, the largest preserved collection in Europe's pre-history, ranging in size from 61 to 68 cm in length and 29 to 52 cm in width. Additionally, the excavation unearthed at least 169 spears, including 138 iron spears of varied shapes (10 to 43.5 cm) and 31 bone or antler spears, with the longest shaft measuring 1.97 m. The find also included 11 swords of diverse shapes, all single-edged with the tang positioned in the middle axis of the sword. During the dig, rust-prints of small iron rings were discovered, likely remnants of chain-mail covering an area of 20-24 m2, possibly imported from the Celtic people residing in Central Europe at that time. Furthermore, the Hjortspring Find revealed the earliest examples of turned wood in Northern Europe, such as small canisters and various domestic utensils, shedding light on the craftsmanship and technology of the era.
Dating back to around 350 BC during the Scandinavian Pre-Roman Iron Age, the boat was discovered in the Hjortspring Mose bog on the island of Als in Sønderjylland, southern Denmark. Regarded as a symbolic war prize, this vessel holds the distinction of being the oldest plank-built boat unearthed in Scandinavia to date. Upon its unearthing, the boat revealed a remarkable array of weaponry and armor, including 131 shields of the Celtic style, 33 intricately crafted shield bosses, 138 iron spearheads, 31 bone or antler spearheads, 11 single-edged iron swords, and remnants of multiple mail coats. This agile and swift craft, measuring nearly 20 meters in length, weighing 530 kilograms, and featuring 20 steering paddles at either end, was meticulously constructed from seven pieces of lime wood (Tilia cordata), meticulously stitched together with gut and sealed with resin to ensure waterproofing, while being reinforced with hazel branch ribs (Corylus avellana).
The lime wood planks, and maple (Acer platanoides) paddles distinguish the Hjortspring Boat, with hollowed timbers forming its unique stem and sternposts. These components, including the bottom plank, extend to create the characteristic "beaks" at the bow and stern of the vessel. The design of the Hjortspring boat, featuring an elongated keel and distinct prows, has served as a recurring motif in Late Bronze Age and Pre-Roman artistry. The framework of hazel ribs, lashed to cleats in the planks, showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the boat's construction. These cleats, fashioned by carving down parts of the plank boards, provide sturdy attachment points without the need for additional fastenings. To reinforce the structure, ash thwarts and thicker supporting ribs are integrated into the hull assembly.
The intricate craftsmanship evident in the archaeological discovery of the Hjortspring boat suggests that the boatbuilding techniques employed predate the vessel itself by a significant margin. Despite bearing little resemblance to its successors, this early "longship" serves as a precursor embodying key principles that would define Viking Age ship construction, such as strength, lightness, and flexibility. The pronounced stem and sternposts of the Hjortspring boat align it with the early iterations of longships, establishing it as a primitive ancestor to the renowned warships of the Viking era.
In 1999, Hjortspringbådens Laug, an association dedicated to sharing knowledge about the Hjortspring boat, launched a full reconstruction of the vessel. Their endeavor led to the creation of a reconstruction of the Hjortspring Boat, named Tilia Alsie. This reconstruction was based on drawings by Norwegian ship engineer Fr. Johannesen, crafted in 1936 using original boat parts as reference. Due to the scarcity of suitable wood in Denmark, linden wood was acquired from Poland to construct the boat's planks. After meticulous work totaling 9,150 hours, Tilia Alsie was completed. It was celebrated with a keel stretch ceremony before embarking on a voyage north of Als with a crew of 31 people. Tilia Alsie proved seaworthy, capable of navigating calm waters and withstanding rough weather conditions.
The discovery and study of the Hjortspring boat offer a comprehensive glimpse into ancient maritime warfare and technological advancements. Its remarkable preservation and rich archaeological findings underscore the significance of the vessel in unraveling the mysteries of ancient Scandinavian seafaring societies. As a symbol of resilience and innovation, the Hjortspring boat stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient maritime traditions.
Bibliography
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