Two iron boat rivets

Add to album

These two iron boat rivets were found at Jarlshof in Shetland. They date from between 800 and 1100. Often the only surviving evidence of a Viking Age ship is the many rivets used in its construction.

The rivets are much corroded. One preserves a square washer, the other has both ends surviving.

The seas and waterways around Scotland have made contact easier rather than acting as a barrier. During the Viking period, improvements in technology resulted in boats capable of long distance travel.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-042-752-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HSA 940
• Date: Between 800 and 1100
  
• Material: Iron; parts of both ends surviving, much corroded
  Iron; round head, square washer just below; bent
  Rivet, boat
  Rivet, boat
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Rivet, boat
  Rivet, boat
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  Scotland, Shetland, Sumburgh, Jarlshof
  
• Event:
• Description: One of five iron boat rivets from Jarlshof
  One of five iron boat rivets from Jarlshof
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: