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The Perfect Sword
Forging the Dark Ages
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Format: Hardback
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The Perfect Sword
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This is the story of the Bamburgh Sword one of the finest swords ever made. Alongside that, it gives a fascinating insight into the world of experimental archaeology where archaeologists attempt to recreate an artefact or structure of the past using only the technologies and materials available at the time.
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Description
In 2000, archaeologist Paul Gething rediscovered a sword. An unprepossessing length of rusty metal, it had been left on a shelf for thirty years. But Paul had a suspicion that the sword had more to tell than appeared, so he sent it for further tests.
When the results came back, he realised that he had in his possession what was possibly the finest, and certainly the most complex, sword ever made, which had been forged in seventh-century Northumberland by an anonymous swordsmith.
This is the story of that sword: how and why it was made, who made it and what it meant to the warriors and kings who wielded it for three centuries. It is also the story of the archaeologists and swordsmiths who found, studied and attempted to recreate the sword using only the materials and technologies available to the smith who first made it.
The result is a remarkable journey into the life and items of a seminal but little documented period of history when the foundations for what would become England, Wales and Scotland were laid.
The Perfect Sword by Paul Gething and Edoardo Albert unearths this fascinating history, blending archaeological discovery with a deep dive into the artistry and significance of swordsmithing in early medieval Britain.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Perfect Sword by Paul Gething and Edoardo Albert has been praised for its revelatory insights and engaging storytelling. Reviewers highlighted the book's exploration of swordcraft, archaeology, and medieval British warfare, describing it as wonderfully written and thought-provoking. It's seen as a fascinating look into the craftsmanship of the Dark Ages, shedding light on a period not as obscure as once thought.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781780277844
Publisher: Birlinn General
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 03 November 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Birlinn Ltd
Illustration: 8pp colour plates; maps
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 156.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 511g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Paul Gething is Director of the Bamburgh Research Project. He studied Archaeological Science at the University of Sheffield and began excavating in 1987. Since then, he has worked in the Middle East, North Africa, France, Spain and the length and breadth of the UK. He has written for History, Current Archaeology, The Great Outdoors and Time Out.
Edoardo Albertis a London-based writer of Italian and Sri Lankan extraction who specialises in religion, travel and archaeology. His previous books include:Warrior: A Life of War in Anglo-Saxon BritainandNorthumbria: The Lost Kingdom, both of which he co-authored with Paul Gething.
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