Exploring Viking Ice Skates: A 10th Century Adventure

As we bid farewell to 2023, the timeless wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt to “Do one thing every day that scares you” resonates profoundly. This spirit of adventure led me to explore the fascinating world of Viking ice skates, dating back to the 10th century AD. Crafted from leather and horse bone, these ancient artifacts offer a captivating glimpse into the past. Inspired by my first encounter with bone ice skates at the Jorvik Viking Centre and Yorkshire Museum, I embarked on a unique journey to understand and experience this ancient mode of winter travel.

The Allure of Viking Ice Skates

My fascination with Viking ice skates began at the Jorvik Viking Centre, where I first laid eyes on a pair of these bone-crafted marvels. Driven by curiosity and a touch of madness, I once considered making my own pair, only to realize the challenge of sourcing horse metacarpals in the UK. Fortunately, I discovered that Amber Wolf had created a pair, available for sale at the Jorvik Viking Festival. This stroke of luck set the stage for my adventure.

Historical Significance of Bone Skates

Bone skates have been unearthed across the Viking world, with notable finds in Dublin, Hedeby, and Birka. In historical York, 42 examples were discovered at Early Medieval Coppergate, primarily made from horse bones, with some crafted from cattle bones. A pivotal paper by Küchelmann & Zidarov (2005) provides invaluable insights into the history and technique of bone ice skates, enhancing our understanding of these ancient artifacts.

Crafting and Design

My pair of Viking skates is based on item number 7122 from 16-22 Coppergate, dating to the mid 9th to early 10th century. This skate features a unique toe hole, differing from the original. Notably, it retains a fragment of a wooden peg, likely used for attachment to the feet with cordage. Like the original, my skates are made from horse leg bones, which naturally curve to facilitate skating.

The Viking Skating Technique

Viking skaters propelled themselves across the ice using sticks, as the bone skates did not cut through the ice like modern metal skates. This method required considerable upper body effort, contrasting with the leg-driven motion of contemporary skates. While it’s unclear if skates were used solely for transport or also for leisure, it’s likely they served both purposes.

The Skating Experience

Eager to test my skates, I visited a pop-up ice rink in York during Christmas, accompanied by my friend Ceara for support. Surprisingly, the bone skates were comfortable and fit well with my York turnshoes. Using cordage threaded through the front hole and criss-crossed over the foot, I achieved a secure fit, aided by my body weight to prevent slippage.

Challenges and Insights

Skating on Viking ice skates proved to be a physically demanding experience. The need to push oneself with a stick limited movement and required significant upper body exertion. Despite the comfort and secure fit, the lack of ice-cutting ability made the process laborious and far from graceful. Nonetheless, the skates offered a practical means of traversing ice, superior to walking in turnshoes alone.

Conclusion

My adventure with Viking ice skates highlighted the ingenuity of ancient craftsmanship and provided a profound connection to the past. While modern metal blades have undoubtedly surpassed bone skates in efficiency, the historical significance and functionality of these ancient tools remain undeniable. As we embrace 2024, may we all find inspiration in exploring new experiences and uncovering the mysteries of history. Wæs hæl!

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