Project title: Experiments with the production of birch tar in the Bronze Age

Researcher: Kjartan Langsted, BA archaeology, Copenhagen University, Denmark

Year: 2002

Abstract:

Finds of so-called “pixie bread” or resin rings from the Bronze Age have so far left archaeologists wondering as to their function. The first step in the investigation of the rings focussed on their production. Last year’s experiments showed that this involved dry distillation of birch tar. In 2002 the experiments will go into detail with the production of large quantities of birch tar with the aid of chemical analyses. The composition of the reconstructed rings will be compared with that of the originals. In addition, the actual tar-production facilities will be investigated with regard to being able to recognise these archaeologically.

Reference number: HAF 08/02

Year: 2001

Abstract:

The aim of the experiments was to investigate how, in the Scandinavian Bronze Age, so-called “resin rings” were produced. These actually consist of tar produced from birch bark. The investigations are based on the so-called single-pot method through an evaluation of finds from the Bronze Age. The experiment required 1780 g of birch bark and clay vessels were used as containers. The experiment took place in open fire and cooking pits. The results were, among other things, that the quantity of birch bark for the production of “resin rings” is easily consistent with local production and that the production of tar can be done in modest clay containers.

Reference number: HAF 06/01