Interpreting archaeological boat material, the G1 boat of the Gokstad find

Abstract

We will discuss the limitation of cardboard as a material for reconstruction models, and whether an alter­­native material could be helpful to overcome these limitations. We have experimented with 3D-print­ed plastic and ways to reduce the longitudinal high edge stiffness, to get around what we think is the main weakness using cardboard. The goal has been to open the possibilities of interpretation. The end result of the tests has been used to build a 1:5 reconstruction model, for our interpretation of the 10m boat from the Gokstad find (G1) from late 800’s. We found that the use of 3D-printed plastic, with a designed internal weakness, gives us more longitudinal flexibility in the model. This flexibility opens up for interpretations that are less feasible when using cardboard.

Keywords

• Waterlogged archaeological wood
• viking age
• model building
• Boat building
• 3-D materials
• Gokstad find