Rediscovering the Ancestry of Skiing in Scandinavia: A Hands-On Approach-From Tree to Ski
Location
CSU 203
Start Date
16-4-2013 11:10 AM
End Date
16-4-2013 12:10 PM
Student's Major
World Languages and Cultures
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Rennesa Jessup
Mentor's Department
World Languages and Cultures
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
Though skiing is now an extremely popular winter pastime, there are very few who actually know how far skis go back in human history—to say nothing of how the design, techniques and use has evolved over the ages. The purpose of this research project was to gain a more intimate knowledge of the technological innovations associated with skiing in the Scandinavian lands from the Stone Age up through the Mediaeval Period. Predominantly, this included the use of a single long ski-pole instead of two, and the sewing of animal furs on the bottoms of the skis. The use of furs gave a smooth surface when moving forward, yet simultaneously gave traction when going up-hill—thus enabling the skier to access rough and wild terrain. In order to gain information on this topic, books and articles especially written concerning archaeological finds of skis in Scandinavia were consulted, as well as some ethnographic comparison with traditional skis in other parts of the world. Finally, the purpose of this project was to construct a pair of skis of the ancient design with hand tools. This was to give the opportunity to try out such innovations as animal furs and the single-pole, in order to be able test out their effectiveness first-hand. The end product was extremely successful in displaying the ingenuity and practicality of such technology that supplied ancient Scandinavians with an effective means of winter transport.
Rediscovering the Ancestry of Skiing in Scandinavia: A Hands-On Approach-From Tree to Ski
CSU 203
Though skiing is now an extremely popular winter pastime, there are very few who actually know how far skis go back in human history—to say nothing of how the design, techniques and use has evolved over the ages. The purpose of this research project was to gain a more intimate knowledge of the technological innovations associated with skiing in the Scandinavian lands from the Stone Age up through the Mediaeval Period. Predominantly, this included the use of a single long ski-pole instead of two, and the sewing of animal furs on the bottoms of the skis. The use of furs gave a smooth surface when moving forward, yet simultaneously gave traction when going up-hill—thus enabling the skier to access rough and wild terrain. In order to gain information on this topic, books and articles especially written concerning archaeological finds of skis in Scandinavia were consulted, as well as some ethnographic comparison with traditional skis in other parts of the world. Finally, the purpose of this project was to construct a pair of skis of the ancient design with hand tools. This was to give the opportunity to try out such innovations as animal furs and the single-pole, in order to be able test out their effectiveness first-hand. The end product was extremely successful in displaying the ingenuity and practicality of such technology that supplied ancient Scandinavians with an effective means of winter transport.
Recommended Citation
Rhody, Nathanael. "Rediscovering the Ancestry of Skiing in Scandinavia: A Hands-On Approach-From Tree to Ski." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 16, 2013.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2013/oral-session-07/4
