Viking Tapestry ‘Window to the past’
I liked the expression ‘windows to the past’ that was used in the video to describe what these tapestries or works of art were to the Viking communities. Without painting or photography or writing yet developed, oral storytelling was the only source of history and this was visually laid out in tapestries.
I have Viking ancestry as my mother is Danish. I was curious after a friend said she did a DNA test, what my DNA might show in regards to ancestral roots. I have ordered a test for me and my family.
Update: (This arrived and we sent it away. My DNA shows that I am a third Scandinavian, primarily Danish).
The narrator also mentioned the use of dyes, specifically Madder root. I might look into the dyes that might have been used at that time and see if I can use those to dye or colour wash unprimed fabric in the first layer of my tapestries. Update: I purchased Madder root powder, Indigo Blue and Brazilian Clay from a natural cosmetics factory in Auckland. I experimented using them as a base layer colour for my ‘tapestries’. See blog entry - Madder Root as Dye.