Possession of technology

The ownership of technology is a concept that is more easily associated with our own times than with those of the first millennium, nonetheless, Anglo-Saxons identified in technology something both admirable and terrifying at the same time. Contrary to the popular modern stereotypes of the period we might tend to assume, their technology was not lame at all and actually they were able to construct and design marvelous tools that aided them in various daily activities, as well and pieces of warfare that allowed them to defend their beloved and precious homeland.

The Anglo-Saxons were adept craft workers and were able to produce amazing jewelry, including rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. They used a wide variety of precious metals and enamel, which is basically one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth of many animals, humans included. Back then, they did not have buttons and zips, so they used brooches to hold clothes in the right place.

It is a well-known fact that the vast majority of the Anglo-Saxons was composed of farmers and they had to endure difficult harvesting conditions in order to allow their relatives to live on through the winter. With this in mind, their tools were crucial. In fact, they were so imperative that most of them used to bury them so as to keep them safe. Some farming tools included the long-bladed scythe to harvest the crops and other tools to work wood, such as axes and a spike. Also, the hoes, rakes, spades and billhooks were widely employed. However, the hardest work was done when ploughing the field, just before sowing the seeds. Saxons in this scenario used a simple form of a plough called “ard” to dig a furrow: a line in the soil to plant the seed in.

Glass has also been found in archaeological excavations of their settlements and cemetery sites. It was apparently used to manufacture a range of objects including beads, windows, jewelry and vessels. It has been noticed that from the 7th century onwards, window glass was found more frequently, and this seems to be due to the introduction of Christianity and the construction of churches and monasteries.

Apart from these activities, warfare was also a far-reaching practice and warriors were always considered to be important people. As a matter of fact, when the Anglo-Saxons came to England, they carried with them a reputation for warlike ferocity and a strong reverence for the sword as a symbol of strength. Most of them used weapons to fight other empires and to protect their homes. You may be wondering which kinds of weapons they normally carried…

Knives and daggers: Almost every person had a knife since it was one of the most basic weapons. They were called “aseax” by the Anglo-Saxons, but most of them were mainly used as tools for eating rather than as weapons. Daggers were carried by most warriors.

Axes: The Anglo-Saxons inherited this weapon from the Danish Viking invaders and soon became proficient at using them. With their 1.2 meter haft and large hones axehead of around 30 cm, they had the capacity to shatter shields and inflict serious wounds. It has been said that is they were swung from side to side, they could even cut down a mounted soldier and his horse in a single blow. Normally, the use of an axe was supplemented with a shield,

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