Greer Jarrett's latest research published in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory!

In a three-year study combining experimental and digital archaeology, Greer Jarrett has reconstructed Viking Age seafaring itineraries along the Norwegian coast, highlighting aspects of risk and opportunity, and identifying four potential harbours which may have been used during long-range sailing voyages. Greer conducted experimental voyages onboard traditional clinker boats from Åfjord, Trøndelag, covering over 5,000 km from the Arctic Circle in the north to the Danish islands in the south. During these voyages he collected quantitative and qualitative data which were used to develop criteria for identifying possible anchorages and landing sites throughout the seascapes under study. 

The experimental data were complemented by digital reconstructions of Viking Age sea-levels (which due to isostatic rebound, were significantly higher than today), highlighting differences in potential routes and harbours between then and now. The experimental trials highlight the outstanding sailing capabilities of these vessels, indicating that certain routes and passages may have been more frequented than previously assumed. The sea-level reconstructions show that several of the harbours mentioned in the medieval sagas did not, in fact, exist in the Viking Age, pointing to the use of other havens which fell into disuse after the Viking Age. The combination of these approaches points to the decentralised nature of Viking Age seafaring networks, with seemingly remote headlands and islands playing a central role. 

These results challenge land-based approaches prevalent in modern research, and illustrate the potential of combining digital and experimental data in our study of ancient peoples.

You can read full article here!