Perfectly preserved Viking sword found at former Beamish and Crawford brewery site
The wooden weaver’s sword is a little over 30cm in length, made entirely from yew, and features carved human faces typical of the Ringerike style of Viking art, dating it roughly to the late 11th century.
Consultant archaeologist Dr Maurice Hurley said it was one of several artefacts of “exceptional significance” unearthed during recent excavations at the South Main St site, along with intact ground plans of 19 Viking houses, remnants of central hearths, and bedding material. “For a long time there was a belief that the strongest Viking influence was on Dublin and Waterford, but the full spectrum of evidence shows that Cork was in the same cultural sphere and that its development was very similar,” he said.
“A couple of objects similar to the weaver’s sword have been found in Wood Quay but nothing of the quality of craftsmanship and preservation of this one,” said Dr Hurley, adding that it was “quite miraculous” how the various wooden items had survived underground in such pristine condition.
“The sword was used probably by women, to hammer threads into place on a loom; the pointed end is for picking up the threads for pattern-making. It’s highly decorated — the Vikings decorated every utilitarian object,” he said.
One of the other artefacts found was a wooden thread-winder carved with two horses’ heads, also associated with fabric weaving.
The Viking remains were found in May but only came to light last week following an informal visit to the Cork Public Museum by the Norwegian ambassador to Ireland, Else Berit Eikeland.
“The visit did not coincide with any official or diplomatic event but came about due to the ambassador’s deep personal interest in the Vikings,” said museum curator Daniel Breen.
The eight-month archaeological dig, led by Dr Hurley, finished in June, but developers BAM Ireland have not given any indication yet when construction might begin or end at the site.
A spokesperson for BAM said the company had been delighted to be able to facilitate and fully fund the archaeological excavations, thus adding to the medieval heritage of Cork City.
Plans for a 6,000-seat multi-functional events centre at the site have been bedevilled by delays, design changes, and huge financial overruns, with current estimates predicting the project could exceed €73m.
So far, BAM Ireland and its partners Live Nation are set to provide €33m towards the project, with the Government contributing €12m and Cork City Council €8m.
It remains to be seen in the upcoming budget whether Finance Minister Paschal Donoghue will allocate the extra €12m capital development requested by BAM.
The Viking artefacts are currently undergoing post-excavation analysis at the National Museum of Ireland.
