DK Eyewitness Books - Viking

33

Roof rafters

Purlin, a pole t hat holds

up t he main roof rafters

Door into t he main hall,

t he house’s only room

Thin layer of birchbark,

for keeping out t he rain

Thick layer of turf,

for insulation

LOCK UP

Women were

in charge of the

household, and especially the locked chest or box

where the family valuables were kept. This iron lock

comes from a box of maple wood. A woman in Onsild,

Jutland, Denmark, probably kept coins or a few pieces

of jewelry in it. When she died, some time in the 10th

century, she was buried with the box and its key.

The key was
turned and it slid
to t he bottom
of t his slot to
unlock t he box

Lock plate

Loop to lift t he

hasp once t he

lock is opened

Curved hasp (a slotted,

hinged metal plate) was

attached to t he box lid

The key was put

in here

Key for the lock on the left

Broken handle

SILVER FOR THE RICH

A rich Viking once drank fruit wine

from this tiny silver cup. Only 1¾ in

(4.4 cm) high, it was found in Lejre,

Denmark. It is decorated with

four creatures with

human faces and

birdlike bodies.

BRONZE KEY

A key was a symbol of

responsibility and dignity. This 9th-

century Danish key is made of beautifully

decorated cast bronze. Anyone who stole

from a locked chest was severely punished.

Handle

Openwork

decoration,

including four

gripping beasts