Cronk Mooar Viking Burial Shield Boss
Date made: Viking
Description: Viking shields were made from several wooden (often pine) boards fixed together and a hole cut in the middle. A hand-grip was fixed across the hole and an iron boss was riveted to the front of the shield. This gave strength to the Viking shield and protected the hand of the owner. In battle, the boards may have been chopped to pieces, leaving an iron-covered fist – a weapon in its own right.
This shield boss is much corroded but round in section. Originally attached to a c.15mm thick board by six nails or rivets. The underside of the rim still has parts of the wooden shield board attached, but no trace of leather covering was found, nor any remains of a grip.
Measurements: 150mm diameter
Materials: iron
Date found: October 1945
Object name: shield
Collection: Archaeology Collection
ID number: 1966-0374/05