THE VIKING TAR INDUSTRY. Of course, correlation of two time series (increased tar production and foreign conquest) does not prove causation. In this article at the Smithsonian site, Jason Daley points out the large volume of tar that would have been required for a Viking longship—-about 130 gallons to coat the wooden parts in addition to tar for the wools sails and for regular maintenance. Hennius supports his theory that tar became an industrial product by the location of the tar kilns as well as their size. The small kilns from the earlier period were found near settlements, suggesting they represented a small-scale household activity and that the tar was not produced for trade. The larger kilns from later periods have been found in forested areas. No graves or villages have been found near the larger kilns, suggesting that they were industrial sites for mass production of tar.
Jason Daley says:”It may seem strange that such a huge part of Viking life was not understood until recently.” I find it an exciting reminder that there are a lot more archaeological discoveries to be made.