Staff from the National School of Blacksmithing at Holme Lacy College travelled to Denmark this summer to take part in an internationally significant heritage project, recreating a Viking-age anchor using authentic materials and traditional forging techniques.
Led by Blacksmithing Lecturer Rowan Taylor, the team joined experts from across Europe for the Aggersborg Anchor Project, which took place at Aggersborg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Viking ring fortresses in Denmark.
The project centred on the creation of a historically accurate anchor for Huld, a reconstructed Viking vessel. Using bloomery iron and traditional metalworking processes, the team sought to better understand the skills, materials and decisions involved in Viking-era shipbuilding and blacksmithing.
Rowan, an archaeological metalworker as well as a lecturer at the National School of Blacksmithing, designed the anchor and worked alongside fellow Holme Lacy colleagues Mischa Kunkel, Blacksmithing Course Tutor, and Ernestas Jakubauskas, Blacksmithing Technician and graduate of the college.
Reflecting on the experience, Rowan said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to put research into practice and explore some of the questions we’ve been asking about historical metalworking. Being able to work with authentic materials and processes gave us invaluable insight into the challenges faced by early medieval smiths.”
The project involved forging the anchor from bloomery iron, a material produced by smelting iron ore in a small furnace. Unlike modern steel, bloomery iron requires extensive refinement before it can be shaped, presenting a unique challenge even for experienced blacksmiths.
Mischa Kunkel played a key role in the collaborative build, bringing both technical expertise and a passion for historical metalworking to the project.
For Ernestas Jakubauskas, who graduated from the National School of Blacksmithing in 2024 before joining the college’s technical team, the project provided a rare opportunity to explore traditional materials and techniques on an international stage.
The completed anchor will now be used aboard Huld, helping to connect archaeological research with Denmark’s living maritime heritage while offering new insights into Viking technology and craftsmanship.
The project highlights the international reputation of the National School of Blacksmithing at Holme Lacy College and the expertise of its staff, who continue to contribute to pioneering research and heritage projects around the world.