Recording for Swedish TV
In the spring of 2018, Swedish TV's scientific department contacted the guild to get some footage with Tilia. The background is that SVT, which corresponds to the Danish DR, is in the process of making a programme about Bronze Age trade. At this time, a large part of the exchange of goods took place by sea. For this programme, they need footage from a boat typical of the period. Although Tilia is from the early part of the Iron Age, the petroglyph images show that similar boats were known in the Bronze Age. As no replicas of Bronze Age boats are known to exist, Tilia was chosen. The agreement with SVT fell into place and it was agreed that the sailing and filming would take place on one of the days 27-28 or 29 April. The SVT people arrived on the 26th and the details were agreed. Tilia was prepared for sailing and the weather forecast was studied. It turned out that the following day, the 27th, was suitable and in the morning Tilia was driven to Dyvig and launched. A dinghy from Dyvig Bådelaug was the escort boat and also the base for the SVT crew. The weather was fine with sunshine and a steady wind, which made for safe sailing. Soon they were paddling towards Mjels Vig. Meanwhile, a handheld camera was filming from the escort boat. Mjels Vig is very suitable for such filming, as there are large areas that are not characterised by modern activities. During the morning, they sailed around Mjels Vig and many film recordings were made.
Film: SVT1
At noon we landed at the bay that borders Oldenor. Here we had lunch, which suited us well.
As you know, there are no ores in Denmark from which bronze can be formed. We have therefore had to rely on imports. At that time, the copper came from the northern Alpine region of Austria and Switzerland, while the tin came from Central Germany and Bohemia. It is possible that finished bronze artefacts were traded. A common assumption has been that they traded amber, which is found in large quantities on the Nordic coasts. However, Swedish TV believes that it is more likely that slaves were traded to get hold of the coveted bronze.
On the way to the trading centre.
Film: SVT1
To illustrate this, a trading post had been organised, consisting of a few of the tents from our guild. To this trading post came a group of merchants from the northern countries. The men were armed with lances and shields, which we usually have on display in the Lime Yard. The leader carried a sword and shield, which is covered in leather and beautifully painted.
A basket of amber was now carried out as a possible payment for the coveted goods. But this didn't go down well with the merchant and they shook their heads. After some time to think, a poor slave was brought forward. She was now carefully examined by the people at the trading centre and, in good horse show jumping fashion, given a good feel of her teeth. Now they were satisfied and the deal went through. This was an enjoyable depiction of how such a trade might have been conducted in the Bronze Age. But Swedish TV decided that the footage wasn't good enough and started over. After the fourth playthrough, they were finally satisfied.
A basket of amber was now carried out as a possible payment for the coveted goods. But this didn't go down well with the merchant and they shook their heads. After some time to think, a poor slave was brought forward. She was now carefully examined by the people at the trading centre and, in good horse show jumping fashion, given a good feel of her teeth. Now they were satisfied and the deal went through. This was an enjoyable depiction of how such a trade might have been conducted in the Bronze Age. But Swedish TV decided that the footage wasn't good enough and started over. After the fourth playthrough, they were finally satisfied.
Then the sailing resumed. The filming now took place from the slopes at Mjelsvig while Tilia sailed around the bay. Sometimes we heard a loud hum from above. It was from a drone from which recordings were made. Towards the end of the afternoon, the SVT people thought they had enough material and Tilia sailed back, was taken ashore and then driven back to the Linde shipyard. Our Swedish guests then drove back to their headquarters in Sønderborg to process the footage and secure it so that nothing was lost. After some time, they returned to the Linde shipyard and we could all enjoy an excellent meal of roast pork.
N.P. Fenger
N.P. Fenger
Language
The text in this article has been translated from Danish to English using the free DeepL translation programme.