REALLY - DARC does FITP !!

(listed alphabetically by title, at date of posting)

DARC on the Viking Age...

Exploring the Viking Age in Denmark
In spring of 2008, Darrell undertook a two and half week trip to Denmark. The primary reason was to attend the 'Iron Seminar at Thy' - meeting and working with other experimental iron smelters. Much of the rest of the time was spent in museums, especially focused on the Viking Age collections. This illustrated talk will be an overview of what was seen and experienced, both in the museums and while travelling across Denmark.
Speaker: Darrell Markewitz

Tablet Weaving for Beginners (2 hours)
A hands-on introduction to tablet weaving. The participants will be shown how to string up a loom, as well as a few basic techniques and patterns. Observers are more than welcome.
Speaker: Rob Schweitzer

To build a Tent - Camping in the Viking Age
So there you are, Norse and in need of some overhead cover while travelling. What do you do? A 'friendly argument' presenting two alternate points of view : the A frame versus the Geteld. We will each make our case historically and practically, plus take a look at the evidence for some alternatives. Includes a discussion of plans, materials and construction tips for would be tent makers.
Speakers: Darrell Markewitz, Meghan Roberts

Towards an Icelandic Smelt
This session is a field report on the current experimental archaeology series being undertaken by DARC. Recent excavations by Kevin Smith at the Hals in Iceland have uncovered a Viking Age 'industrial' iron processing site. Using clues from the archaeology, is it possible to re-create the physical iron smelting methods which may have been originally used?
Speaker: Darrell Markewitz

Viking Era Bead Production
The glass trade among the Viking Era Norse culture was complex not only in terms of the distances covered by these trade goods but by the complexity of the products produced in the workshops at the Ribe and Paviken markets. Using only the simplest of tools viking era craftsmen produced wonderfully detailed beads. This session will survey the material remains from these locations, and explore several experimental attempts to reproduce these techniques.
Speaker: Neil Peterson

Viking North Atlantic Sites & Museums
Karen and Neil went to Scotland and Iceland in May 2008 and visited every darn museum and archaeological site that they could find, with a heavy emphasis on the Viking Era. This is a picture heavy look at many of the Viking Era and Neolithic sites in Scotland, Orkney, Shetland, and Iceland. Many museums will also be examined including their presentation styles and policies.
Speakers: Neil Peterson, Karen Peterson

Viking age clothing and textile production
To be Added (this a version of Meghan's recent lecture at the Royal Ontario Museum)
Speaker: Meghan Roberts

(DARC members, not VA topics)

Cryptographic Praise Poetry
Hiding a message or a person's name in a poem is a technique that has been around for centuries. Find out more in this survey of some of the poets (and their verses) up to 1600.
Speaker: Ann Graham

Dances from Tudor England
These are fun, easy dances reconstructed from a recently found manuscript. Dating from around 1500, these are the earliest known English dances. No prior dance experience is necessary.
Speaker: Sarah Scroggie

Meaningful Scratches
no description available yet
Speaker: Stephin Armstrang