Mysterious Origin of the Ulfberht swords

[Still Waters]

Ulfberht was like a Medieval luxury brand for swords - but unlike your Gucci purse, the swords were of such high quality they were almost...mystical.

Dozens of these swords - made with metal so strong and pure it's baffling how any sword maker of that time could have accomplished it - have been found in Europe, along with some knock-offs. They are all marked with the Ulfberht name and two crosses, though some of the imitations are missing a letter here or there.

New research brings us closer to the source of the swords, to the kiln in which these legendary weapons were forged.

http://www.ancient-o...ulfberht-002455

[Crabby Kitten]

Fascinating

[questionmark]

I believe we had this a few months ago...

But, to the theme: it is not so mysterious, it was just a pretty hard piece of logistics. To make Ulfberth swords one needed Wootz steel, at the time available in the Arabic world. For that the best traders (and raiders) of the MA were contacted. They traded some fair haired maidens (abducted in Britain) for some Wootz Steel in Constantinople, took the steel back to a (yet unknown) Norman artisan and in return got swords to go raiding Britain for some fair haired maidens....

[Skep B]

Super swords made all for the want of blondes.

It's comforting how consistent mankind's motivations are.

[Aus Der Box Skeptisch]

Netflix has a nova special on this sword. Quite enjoyable to watch.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-viking-sword.html

Edited December 21, 2014 by Aus Der Box Skeptisch

[pallidin]

Invader to blonde woman:

"I have Ulfberht sword... Resistance is FUTILE."

[Still Waters]

I believe we had this a few months ago...

We had this in July 2013 and it was a topic discussing a video.

http://www.unexplain...howtopic=251236

When I try to watch that video I get this message -

"We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to right restrictions".

This latest topic is supposed to be A Step Closer to the Mysterious Origin of the Viking Sword Ulfberht.

[jmccr8]

Yes,I did see the video then and when I checked Aus's link I got the same response that Still Waters did,however you can still read the transcript

jmccr8

[+DieChecker]

I believe we had this a few months ago...

But, to the theme: it is not so mysterious, it was just a pretty hard piece of logistics. To make Ulfberth swords one needed Wootz steel, at the time available in the Arabic world. For that the best traders (and raiders) of the MA were contacted. They traded some fair haired maidens (abducted in Britain) for some Wootz Steel in Constantinople, took the steel back to a (yet unknown) Norman artisan and in return got swords to go raiding Britain for some fair haired maidens....

That is about how I remember it going. The older thread, that is. Not the 11th century. Because I'm not that old. And anyone who says I am should be reported to me, so I can deal with them. I thought I'd clipped all the loose ends.