The above image from Oppdal, Norway shows the typically tight bindings and the swollen nock typical of arrows from the Viking Age. The number of binds tends to vary between 16 and 64 spirals (Nydam).<br>
The very limited evidence we have for flight shapes implies that flights were usually cut straight and not parabolic although it is impossible to state this with any certainty.<br>
=== Attaching arrow heads ===
====Socketed arrow heads====
====Tanged arrow heads====
* Sinew and tar
** Femund, Norway, 800-1000AD, birch shaft with tanged head attached by lashing with tendon (sinew), then covered with birch bark. [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]
*Brass wire:
** Hedeby. Paulsen mentions the use of brass wire to reinforce the tanged arrow heads at Hedeby. [PAULSEN 1999]<br>
=== Decoration ===
Roman examples from Duro Europos show black and red paint on the nocks, [BISHOP & COULSTON 2006:p.167-168]. Similar painted nocks can also be seen on arrows found at Qasr Ibrim, Nahal Tse’elim as well as Asian arrows. [BROWN 2007 B] 36 arrows with red paint on their shafts where found in the late C5th grave at Högum, Medelpad, Sweden. [RAU 2007:p.143]<br>
It is possible that the nocks of arrows in the Viking Age could also have been painted to assist in identification.<br>
<br>
== Arrow heads ==
'''Discussion'''<br>
For hunting birds such as woodcock or grouse. The notched blade prevents the arrow from glancing off the birds feathers. [ROESDAHL and WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]<br>
<br>
== Arrows shafts and flights ==
=== Shafts ===
'''Art'''<br>
'''Literature'''<br>
'''Archeology'''<br>
* Dublin, Scots pine, willow and yew
* Waterford
* Scar
* Hedeby, Yew
* Birka.
* Oppdal, Norway, 800-1000AD, birch shaft with tanged leaf shaped head. Traces of resin from holding the flights [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]
* Femund, Norway, 800-1000AD, birch shaft with tanged head attached by lashing with tendon (sinew), then covered with birch bark. [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]
<br>
=== Flights ===
'''Art'''<br>
--<br>
'''Literature'''<br>
--<br>
'''Archeology'''<br>
Taken from the pinion feathers of large birds such as eagles, geese or swans and glued using birch tar [PAULSEN 1999]. Arrows from the Viking Age seen to use the traditional three feather style.<br>
<br>
=== Whipping ===
''Thread wrapped around the nock and flights of the arrow shaft.''<br>
'''Art'''<br>
--<br>
'''Literature'''<br>
--<br>
'''Archeology'''<br>
* Sinew:<br>
** Oppdal, Norway, dated 400-600AD, on pine shafts (Halpin) or birch (Roesdahl & Wilson) along with resin glue [HALPIN 2008:p.47] [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]. Used for hunting.
** Femund, Norway, 800-1000AD, birch shaft with tanged head attached by lashing with tendon (sinew), then covered with birch bark. [ROESDAHL & WILSON 1992:p.249 cat.88]
** Nydam used birch tar and sinew whipping [BISHOP & COULSTON 2006:p.206]
* Horse hair:<br>
** Roman Dura-Europos?
* Linen:<br>
** --<br>
*Brass wire:<br>
** Hedeby. Paulsen mentions the use of brass wire to reinforce the tanged arrow heads at Hedeby. [PAULSEN 1999]<br>
'''Discussion'''<br>
Whipping seems to have normally been done around at least the nock. Other places are before the flight, spiralled through the flight and optionally around the head end to strengthen a tanged arrow head. <br>
<br>
=== Decoration ===
Roman examples from Duro Europos show black and red paint on the nocks, [BISHOP & COULSTON 2006:p.167-168]. Similar painted nocks can also be seen on arrows found at Qasr Ibrim, Nahal Tse’elim as well as Asian arrows. [BROWN 2007 B] 36 arrows with red paint on their shafts where found in the late C5th grave at Högum, Medelpad, Sweden. [RAU 2007:p.143]<br>
It is possible that the nocks of arrows in the Viking Age could also have been painted to assist in identification.<br>
<br>
