Scholarlink

<p>The tenability of Viking-age turf houses exposed to a historically sized bonfire outside the door, according to Viking-age (between 793 and 1066) combat records, was investigated across three scales. A single laboratory-scale experiment was conducted, consisting of a replica door, roof structure, and 1.2 m simulated entryway. Five door-scale experiments consisting of a replica door and roof structures attached to a shipping container to simulate the volume of a turf house were conducted at Eiríksstaðir in Búðardalur, Iceland. A single full-scale Viking-age turf house made to the best-known historical construction standards was also evaluated in Iceland. Gas concentration and temperature measurements were made throughout the structures to identify the limits of tenability and fire spread. Heat flux gauges measured the intensity of the bonfire used to ignite the door and roof structures. Results of this experimental archaeology study indicate that the Viking-age combat tactic of burning turf houses was an effective way of defeating a defender within their house. Comments based on observations and experimental findings are made on the use of fire as a war tactic, and recommendations are made for the protection of contemporary replica turf houses.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Fire and Life Safety of Viking-Age Reconstructed Turf Houses

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月16日

查看全文
  • Jon Zimak,
  • Rayna Vreeland,
  • Fernando Ebensperger,
  • Abhinandan Singh,
  • Christian Vogt,
  • James L. Urban

摘要

The tenability of Viking-age turf houses exposed to a historically sized bonfire outside the door, according to Viking-age (between 793 and 1066) combat records, was investigated across three scales. A single laboratory-scale experiment was conducted, consisting of a replica door, roof structure, and 1.2 m simulated entryway. Five door-scale experiments consisting of a replica door and roof structures attached to a shipping container to simulate the volume of a turf house were conducted at Eiríksstaðir in Búðardalur, Iceland. A single full-scale Viking-age turf house made to the best-known historical construction standards was also evaluated in Iceland. Gas concentration and temperature measurements were made throughout the structures to identify the limits of tenability and fire spread. Heat flux gauges measured the intensity of the bonfire used to ignite the door and roof structures. Results of this experimental archaeology study indicate that the Viking-age combat tactic of burning turf houses was an effective way of defeating a defender within their house. Comments based on observations and experimental findings are made on the use of fire as a war tactic, and recommendations are made for the protection of contemporary replica turf houses.