Where have Ulfberht swords been found?

Most Ulfberht swords were found in Norway, but some experts claim they may come from Germany, in the Taunus region, because of the high level of arsenic found in the iron. Extremely rare and valuable, they were very sought-after weapons for the most elite Vikings.

How many Ulfberht swords have been found?

170
There are about 170 true Ulfberht swords that have survived to the present day. They’re all in the traditional “Viking” style with a long, double-edged blade and a straight crossbar over the grip and all of them have the name “Ulfberht” stamped into the blade.

What made the Ulfberht sword special?

Produced between 800 to 1000 AD, the Ulfberht offered unique advantages as a weapon. Its combination of strength, lightness, and flexibility represented the perfect marriage of form and function in the chaos that was a Viking battle.

Who used Ulfberht swords?

the Vikings
For those familiar with Viking lore, the notion of a superstrong sword may not seem at all far-fetched. In fact, the Vikings had something quite similar – and it carried the name “Ulfberht”. Researchers have uncovered approximately 170 of these Viking superswords.

How many Viking swords have been found?

The Boydell Press. A large number of swords from the Viking Age have been found including at least 2,500 swords just from Norway [HJARDAR & VIKE 2016]:p.168. Viking Age swords vary from the plain to the most lusciously ornate.

Did Vikings use crucible steel?

The type of steel was known as crucible steel, and it wasn’t made for another 1000 years. How did the Vikings learn to make it, and how could they get a forge hot enough (Over 3000 Degrees Fahrenheit) when at the time, and for the next 1000 years, nobody else could.

When were the Ulfberht swords found?

The Ulfberht swords are about 170 medieval swords found in Europe, dated to the 9th to 11th centuries, with blades inlaid with the inscription +VLFBERH+T or +VLFBERHT+….

What replaced the Gladius?

The spatha
The spatha apparently replaced the gladius in the front ranks, giving the infantry more reach when thrusting.

What weapons did Vikings use the most?

Spears. Probably the most common Viking weapon, spears were typically cheaper to make than other weapons as their manufacture required less iron. They were also effective and versatile, and could be either thrown or thrust at the enemy.

Did Vikings invent steel?

Danish Viking blacksmiths worked with iron that contained around 0.8 per cent carbon, and when it hardened it had the strength of modern day steel. The difference between iron and steel is the amount of carbon: Iron that contains more than 0.35 per cent carbon becomes steel.

What was the secret of the Ulfberht sword?

The secret to Ulfberht swords was the distribution of carbon in the blade. Steel swords were made by mixing iron and carbon to produce steel. Add too much carbon and the sword becomes brittle and breaks. Add too little, and it will just bend.

Where are Viking swords found in the world?

And these must have been extraordinarily valuable to their contemporaries, because of their properties. NARRATOR: Thousands of Viking swords have been found, most discovered in rivers or excavated from Viking burials across Scandinavia and northern Europe, but only 171 have been identified as Ulfberhts.

What kind of swords were made in Francia?

This was traditionally where the best swords were made, and the Ulfberht “brand” might have made the best swords in Francia. These swords were said to have been sharper, stronger, and more flexible than anyone else’s.

Why was the Ulfberht so important to the Vikings?

Fashioned using a process that would remain unknown to the Vikings’ rivals for centuries, the Ulfberht was a revolutionary high-tech tool as well as a work of art. Considered one of the greatest swords ever made, it remains a fearsome weapon more than a millennium after it last saw battle.