"With Surtr's Dust": The Viking Discovery of Gunpowder (April Fools 2023)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 28 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 307

  • @JacksonCrawford
    @JacksonCrawford  Рік тому +157

    Ian McCollum’s companion documentary on Forgotten Weapons: ua-cam.com/video/ADcbbzx79q8/v-deo.html
    Simon Roper with more details on the Old English evidence: ua-cam.com/video/A2OQV4MOOBg/v-deo.html

    • @leighdf
      @leighdf Рік тому +19

      @Jackson, this is epic. We know of trolls from the sagas, but they don't hold a candle to you and your distinguished co-conspirators.

    • @rdbchase
      @rdbchase Рік тому

      Scientists were not "viewed as magicians in the Middle Ages" -- scientists did not exist in the Middle Ages.

    • @guillermotheivth4378
      @guillermotheivth4378 Рік тому +2

      Do we have any idea who the scribe is? I would love to see if a similar manuscript could be "procured" for my collection, plus when we later look back on this NorsePlay'd find there'll be more than one example to cite from this specific Harpasdag tradition.

    • @ErikHolten
      @ErikHolten Рік тому +1

      @@guillermotheivth4378 Roper mentions her.

    • @adammiller-mz4mx
      @adammiller-mz4mx Рік тому

      Almost sure if the vid title didn't show "April Fools" in recommendations, this vid would have triple views minimum, viking clickbait farms views.

  • @robertsmith4681
    @robertsmith4681 Рік тому +590

    This, is the single most impressive gathering of actual world class subject matter experts I have ever seen for an April fool's joke, well done !

    • @GeoffSayre
      @GeoffSayre Рік тому +31

      When I got the UA-cam notification, I was totally fooled. Really good prank

    • @fjallaxd7355
      @fjallaxd7355 Рік тому +9

      Yes, this is so funny actually.

    • @christopherstein2024
      @christopherstein2024 Рік тому +14

      God damn. I knew something was off. But the serious presentation of stuff I had no clue about really overshadowed the ridiculous pieces in between for me.

    • @jillscott4029
      @jillscott4029 Рік тому +4

      Right up there with the BBC's infamous spaghetti trees!

    • @Chiburi
      @Chiburi Рік тому +1

      Oh, no…. 😳

  • @alicelarsson165
    @alicelarsson165 Рік тому +105

    This also explains why Vikings are always depicted carrying such elaborate and decorated "Drinking-Horns" at the ready in their belts. These were ofc in actuallity Gunpowder-Horns! Museums need to closely re-examine these artifacts for gunpowder residues.
    The modern Scandinavian word for Gunpowder is also Krut/Krutt/Krudt, related with Old Norse's Krydd (Spice). Due to Gunpowders likeness to ground pulverized herbs. Possibly from from *Krūdan (“to press, push, crowd”), cognate with Ancient Greek βρῠ́ον (brúon, “tree-moss, etc.”), from βρύω (brúō, “to swell”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *Gʷéru (“skewer; spear”), so that part also connects with Geir (Spear) as in Atgeir.

  • @davidgrubbs6362
    @davidgrubbs6362 Рік тому +56

    This could run as-is on the History Channel any day of the year.

  • @cuffzter
    @cuffzter Рік тому +350

    You can't just not appreciate the amount of tenured scholars that joined in on this joke.. err.. I mean fascinating discovery!😄

  • @TadeuszCantwell
    @TadeuszCantwell Рік тому +268

    Wow so many distinguished professors telling us this information, it must all be true.

    • @HoNewerth
      @HoNewerth Рік тому +27

      It never crossed my mind to check the date. This was so convincing to be honest....and then the comment section ruined the fantasy for me

    • @TadeuszCantwell
      @TadeuszCantwell Рік тому +12

      @@HoNewerth I came from Simon Ropers more subdued video, but I'd already fallen for a prank elsewhere so I got a feeling this was as well. So I enjoyed the History channel presentation style.

    • @jubuttib
      @jubuttib Рік тому +5

      And we didn't even need AI fakes! =)

    • @Galdring
      @Galdring Рік тому +1

      I see what you did there. Let's show Fauci an Atgeirr.

  • @betafishjeremy7454
    @betafishjeremy7454 Рік тому +36

    I find it fun that I'm subbed to this channel and forgotten weapons so both of these videos are on my feed almost side by side

    • @jesseholcombe3347
      @jesseholcombe3347 Рік тому +4

      I got this one and Simon Roper's.

    • @faramund9865
      @faramund9865 Рік тому

      Same, and that somehow made it more credible to me rather than raising suspect lmao!

  • @davidmouritsen
    @davidmouritsen Рік тому +43

    Wonderful! The best April Fool's video I've seen so far today! Thank you, Dr Crawford-and your accomplices-for the laughter.

  • @Max-jf5vu
    @Max-jf5vu Рік тому +31

    What a discovery! We were all fools to have overlooked this fascinating specimen. What an April to be alive in!

  • @Mr.Patrick_Hung
    @Mr.Patrick_Hung Рік тому +23

    When I saw the title, I checked to see if the date was April first.

  • @delanebredvik
    @delanebredvik Рік тому +53

    Brilliant. Being able to add the two extra German positions is a profound service to the scholarly community. Thank you for your service.

    • @nilsniemeier5345
      @nilsniemeier5345 Рік тому +1

      That was the best part of the whole thing.

    • @delanebredvik
      @delanebredvik Рік тому

      @@nilsniemeier5345 I had to watch it over and over again... Still laughing.

  • @inregionecaecorum
    @inregionecaecorum Рік тому +14

    It is even older than that, archaeologists in Coventry found a bronze Celtic version near the Lunt Roman fort in Baginton, along with a lead inscription in the ancient Brythonic tongue describing how they had used it against those villainous Romans who had never done anything for them.

  • @dafyddthomas6897
    @dafyddthomas6897 Рік тому +99

    Congratulations on gathering such a huge team.
    Surtr's dust and volcanic sulphur in Iceland were excellent touches
    But last year's discovery was better. Only 1/2 way through, when Jackson recited the text as Swedish chef did I realize the date.
    This year's TITLE was enough to know the date

    • @fionaanderson5796
      @fionaanderson5796 Рік тому +10

      Because of time differences, this is only 2 hours old but it's already the 2nd of April in Aus.
      Wasn't til I went to tell my bf about it, and typing "I'd think it was a hoax but for who's involved" that I caught on.

  • @judyshoaf448
    @judyshoaf448 Рік тому +12

    Oh, my. I spent all day Saturday being amazed at how beautifully clean and legible that manuscript leaf is.... I was trying to explain to a friend the relationship between hákarl and gunpowder when it dawned on me.

  • @nickcarr5724
    @nickcarr5724 Рік тому +18

    The detective saying "I started this career path as a student of anthropology" is the funniest thing I've heard in a while.

  • @thormusique
    @thormusique Рік тому +13

    OMG, that's hilarious!!! Viking with Guns - soon to be a major motion picture, no doubt. Starring Keanu Reeves as Jón Vík. Cheers!

  • @Paveway-chan
    @Paveway-chan Рік тому +7

    Now I want a medieval fantasy novel about a Norseman who invents the first Icelandic firearm, and goes around "solving problems" using his "singing weapon".

  • @tdmddo
    @tdmddo Рік тому +7

    When professionals do professional jokes together, that's another level

  • @noecarrier5035
    @noecarrier5035 Рік тому +15

    Dr Jackson Crawford sounds like a Indiana Jones type character who has raided at least one mysterious mesoamerican temple.

  • @redwinger4281
    @redwinger4281 Рік тому +5

    I'm glad everyone had fun making this. Jackson you are a class act

  • @crisr.8280
    @crisr.8280 Рік тому +20

    I am in awe at the intersect of very much connected fields of study/expertise yet not usually incorporated together in instruction.
    Love the collaboration and the new knowledge all of you have brought out from the murky past.

  • @bjarnitryggvason7866
    @bjarnitryggvason7866 Рік тому +15

    The battle sequences in Njal's Saga finally make sense. What a sensational discovery!

  • @Henrique-wy6cv
    @Henrique-wy6cv Рік тому +9

    I will tell ya something .... after finding out that the Vikings fought the Dinosaurs, nothing about them surprise me anymore

  • @DevsQuillsandCartoons
    @DevsQuillsandCartoons Рік тому +7

    This is one of the most elaborate April Fools Jokes I have ever seen 😂 And, with so many people involved. From others’ comments, I’m guessing you do this every year. Can’t wait to see next year’s ‘Discovery’ 😉

  • @MaxKaladin
    @MaxKaladin Рік тому +12

    Wow! Well done! You had me going at the start but then something seemed really fantastical and I remembered the date. Looks like a lot of effort went in to this.

  • @scottmarsh2991
    @scottmarsh2991 Рік тому +2

    Fascinating! But can already imagine how Hollywood blow this discovery out of proportion. I’m counting the days before I see a Viking movie that will feature a whole line of gunners pop up from behind a shield wall.

    • @scottmarsh2991
      @scottmarsh2991 Рік тому +1

      Okay, I fell for the joke-but my original comment still stands!

  • @faramund9865
    @faramund9865 Рік тому +9

    This is put together so well. The names for black powder and gun were incredibly convincing!
    Also because I know black powder was used in Europe in the the late medieval period. And the manuscript looked really good! (A bit too good)
    I'm a little embarrassed you had me for a good 4 minutes.

  • @johnschuler4816
    @johnschuler4816 Рік тому +10

    I forgot what day it was and this totally had me going! Well done. :)

  • @Ragnar0xx0rz
    @Ragnar0xx0rz Рік тому +14

    Great to see so many superheroes from the Jackson Crawford Extended Multiverse all together in the same film.

  • @petesheppard1709
    @petesheppard1709 Рік тому +3

    Even knowing the gag and the easter eggs, there's still a strong urge to _believe_ !

  • @markwaldron8954
    @markwaldron8954 Рік тому +1

    This is the most elaborate April Fool's joke ever. The only real giveaway is the hyperbole some of the researchers indulge in, such as Simon Roper, and the lady who says we have to throw out the Prose Edda. If not for those few over-the-top statements this would actually be believable.

  • @rjbisbee8567
    @rjbisbee8567 Рік тому +3

    Without a doubt the best April Fools Day video you’ve made to date Dr. J

  • @amandachapman4708
    @amandachapman4708 Рік тому +3

    All those Distinguished Professors! I must congratulate especially Simon Roper on his meteoric rise through the academic ranks 😂

  • @DrLeroy76
    @DrLeroy76 Рік тому +3

    You've outdone yourself. Looking forward to next year's edition

  • @onenof10
    @onenof10 Рік тому +6

    Interesting. Every lost manuscript I've managed to find has also been 8.5" x 11". There's probably a grad paper or two on the survivability of the format.

    • @donjones4719
      @donjones4719 Рік тому +4

      Your comment is totally implausible. Everyone knows European manuscripts are on A4 sized paper.

    • @onenof10
      @onenof10 Рік тому +4

      @@donjones4719 This is true but only of manuscripts dated from the early proto-metric era onward. Pre-Stora Enso manuscripts were less refined, as shown by frequent scaling irregularities common of the era.

  • @peterfireflylund
    @peterfireflylund Рік тому +1

    Thank you for including Lorenz Frølich! :)

  • @barbarapiercy4312
    @barbarapiercy4312 Рік тому +2

    First, I’m a amateur magician and I’m the wife of a professional magician. I am the one that keeps him good. So when I say “ that was a brilliant job of palming!!!!” You’ll know that it really means something. The way you kept everyone’s attention on the weapon so they wouldn’t notice you putting the rock in your back pocket, was an impressive performance!! I don’t blame you! That thing is dangerous enough without adding more pressure AND a projectile. As a person of Royal Norse descent, I really enjoy your deep dives into our history. Keep up the good work!!!

  • @michaelpytel3280
    @michaelpytel3280 Рік тому +1

    Thanks to all the Distinguished Professors for being so Distinguished.

  • @ThePykeSpy
    @ThePykeSpy Рік тому +7

    I knew it, crafty Colorado Man strikes again!

  • @greyareaRK1
    @greyareaRK1 Рік тому +2

    This recasts the epic struggle between Aeylmer Fudd and Daffi Duk.

  • @tristenweber-nd1sv
    @tristenweber-nd1sv Рік тому +1

    Surtr's dust is the coolest term for gunpowder.

  • @Harrow_the_Ninth
    @Harrow_the_Ninth Рік тому +6

    I've seen some excellent efforts today, but this one takes the cake.

  • @Othurin
    @Othurin Рік тому +3

    Been reading Njal's saga recently so it's a great timing to learn more about what exactly was meant by "Gunnar Hamundsson's atgeir was home" when he pierces an intruder with it! Although my truly misinformed Swedish translation rendered atgeir as spjutyxa or spearaxe

  • @Getpojke
    @Getpojke Рік тому +4

    Poisson d'avril 🐟
    Very well done, one of the most believable ones I've seen. Thank you.

  • @Kevc0re_
    @Kevc0re_ Рік тому +1

    Wow. This is so well done, if you didn’t know this was on April Fool’s Day and you didn’t know anything about this, you would think it was real.

  • @faramund9865
    @faramund9865 Рік тому +1

    Oh no, I fell for it!
    That goes to show how much I respect your insights! Damn it...

  • @YolayOle
    @YolayOle Рік тому +3

    Bravo, Dr. Crawford! This might be the best one so far.
    Did I just see a Space Mutiny reference?

  • @Iwoodlikethat
    @Iwoodlikethat Рік тому +12

    This is so well done!

  • @BobbyN-P
    @BobbyN-P Рік тому +14

    this video made me smile, thanks for the dose of wholesome fun. Only problem now is that I want a viking blunderbuss 🙇😆

  • @Rolf-farmedfacts-supervisor
    @Rolf-farmedfacts-supervisor Рік тому +9

    Norway here, this was a good one! How do you guys keep a straight face?

  • @Aswaguespack
    @Aswaguespack Рік тому +4

    Thank you Dr Crawford for a true delight on this most Special of All Days. This has to be the most elaborate April 1st Story ever conceived and published. You da Man Dr. Crawford 😂

  • @thogameskanaal
    @thogameskanaal Рік тому +1

    This changed the way I look at EVERYTHING!
    Oh, and it cured my cancer. I'm forever in your debt, Mr Crawford.

  • @meteordmsyu6298
    @meteordmsyu6298 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for spreading this to the public.
    When I told my professor that there's no way a weakling like Svipdag could've made it through his story without a gun he cut me from the class.

  • @Neptune0404
    @Neptune0404 Рік тому +4

    This is so exiting! I love discoveries like this that shed light on old mysteries, and makes us rethink old ideas. Exited to see where this discovery leads!

  • @haroldlittell689
    @haroldlittell689 Рік тому +3

    Ian and co cracks the code! Now I know what this "pipe on a poll" that has come down from my great, great great, (X 20) Grandfather weapon is and he was known as "Thorgrim Fire-Breather"!!! Thanks Guys!

  • @barrittjm
    @barrittjm Рік тому +4

    Excellent, so much detail. Brilliantly done sir.

  • @henrya3530
    @henrya3530 Рік тому +2

    Congratulations on a splendid piece of research. I would like to offer the following quote from the Saga of Ólafur heimskingi "Þetta er mesta drasl sem ég hef heyrt í langan tíma. Eru þetta brandarakarlar í alvöru?"
    Gunnar Hlíðarendi famously responded to this challenge with "Haltu í bjórinn minn."
    Old Norse is such a poetic language.

  • @cptmc
    @cptmc Рік тому +1

    I'll add Surtr's Dust to my list of macguffins like the Parker Square.

  • @SimonBannow
    @SimonBannow Рік тому +2

    Hope CNN covers the story, this discovery needs to be known at every airport ✈ across the globe🌍. Great work Mr. Crawford! 💥

  • @TheAntiburglar
    @TheAntiburglar Рік тому +4

    I was legitimately so interested in what Surtr's Dust could be......right up until I remembered what day it is XD

  • @Deckzwabber
    @Deckzwabber Рік тому

    This is a higher quality production than most of what I've seen on the history channel. And the story is more true.

  • @tsamoka6496
    @tsamoka6496 Рік тому +4

    I don't care if this is a joke or not, I love this! Thanks to everyone involved for putting in the time and effort to make this. You all are awesome! =^x^=

  • @limitlessnwst
    @limitlessnwst Рік тому +3

    LMAO Forgotten Weapons even did a video on it, this is the best ever

  • @celtzen
    @celtzen Рік тому +1

    I really need to remember to check the dates - at least it only took me three minutes and a glass of wine.... Nicely done Doc.

  • @deadcaliph6414
    @deadcaliph6414 Рік тому +1

    This is a pretty cool alternate history plotline.

    • @sanjivjhangiani3243
      @sanjivjhangiani3243 Рік тому

      Actually, the earliest firearms were only used three centuries after the time referred to (1030 AD), so it's not that implausible. (Yes, I know it's a joke.)

  • @HistoricWrath
    @HistoricWrath Рік тому +1

    The hilarious part is the least plausible sounding part of the whole video is the single university offering two tenure track positions in a single field 😂😂😂

  • @dust001
    @dust001 Рік тому +8

    I've always thought Canadians were the ones who discovered firearms! Amazing stuff!

    • @GoldenArbiter01
      @GoldenArbiter01 Рік тому

      Lmao what?? Please, I need the source of this

    • @7piecebucket
      @7piecebucket Рік тому +3

      Vinland.

    • @Dave_Sisson
      @Dave_Sisson Рік тому

      Nonsense, ask any redneck and they will tell you that 'Muricans invented everything!

  • @glarson8370
    @glarson8370 Рік тому +1

    These are getting better each year 👍🏻

  • @havareriksen1004
    @havareriksen1004 Рік тому +1

    Awesome joke. But I guess many people won't catch the Surtr reference. Surtr is a fire giant in norse mythology, and he wields a sword of fire which will cause a world consuming fire at Ragnarokk. So Surtr's dust would be fire dust.

  • @asorlokirunarsson9864
    @asorlokirunarsson9864 Рік тому +3

    I spit out my coffee when I heard about this

  • @JenniferinIllinois
    @JenniferinIllinois Рік тому +1

    Well played everybody.
    So many distinguished professors, like Buff Hardback, University of California, Hill Valley. OMG I'm dying!!!!!

  • @book3100
    @book3100 Рік тому +2

    I'm only a casual watcher here, but the thumbnail looks a bit like "take that mother heifer and shoot him in the face"
    I know most of you won't see that, but if you don't look closely and don't know anything about the old languages, it gives me that impression.
    Anyhow, it made made cry laughing.
    This is a really cool channel btw.

  • @Son-of-Tyr
    @Son-of-Tyr Рік тому +2

    Just bought Poetic Edda and Saga of the Volsungs by Jackson Crawford from Grimfrost. Very excited to read them. Keep it up, Jackson. You're a true drengr.

  • @the_malefactor
    @the_malefactor Рік тому +2

    Not being a scholar of Scandinavian languages and not having been in the academy for a long time, I can sense the joke just out of my grasp in those two German department positions, but I delight in it nonetheless.

  • @LisaLovesFugglers
    @LisaLovesFugglers Рік тому +1

    If I hadn't read the comments, I would have carried on believing until the point where they suggested throwing out certain books. Oh how little I know 😂

  • @moinasandon5812
    @moinasandon5812 Рік тому

    Brilliant! I love the effort put in, thank you! This made my day XD

  • @TheBaron75
    @TheBaron75 Рік тому +5

    So many Distinguished Professors!

  • @terryroots5023
    @terryroots5023 Рік тому

    I was initially sceptical, but was convinced by the philiololological analysis

  • @Matt_The_Hugenot
    @Matt_The_Hugenot Рік тому

    Greatest collab in UA-cam history.

  • @AngelaRichter65
    @AngelaRichter65 Рік тому +1

    Magnificent! Well done, sir. Well done.

  • @ServantOfOdin
    @ServantOfOdin Рік тому

    Wow, that's one of the most distinguished news you can possibly find..... :D
    Love it, you once more outdone yourself.

  • @TerkanTyr
    @TerkanTyr Рік тому

    I had a teacher several years ago that told me about this, and confided in me that he did believe it but wouldn't risk his reputation on publishing it.
    I found myself in agreement with him and I'm glad you're brave enough to bring it forth. But while it's clever to pick a time to publish that would give you plausible deniability, I really think it would be very unfortunate if you ended up compelled to make use of it, and backtrack on the whole thing.

  • @51WCDodge
    @51WCDodge Рік тому

    Daft thing is, there is the lurking grain of possibility. Early Norse script has been found in Constaniople, Norseman were mercenary gaurds. Constantinople was a nexsus on the Silk Road, from China. So , there is the possibility that a Norseman could have learnt the formula for black powder.

  • @tedball8677
    @tedball8677 Рік тому

    _Very_ well played, y'all.
    [edit]
    Does Distinguished Professor Annie Hatfield hold the "McMurtry Chair" at University of Texas at "Thalia"? (8:36)

  • @jjeckerm06
    @jjeckerm06 Рік тому +1

    Looks like I can throw my history & archaeology degree in the garbage.

    • @jjeckerm06
      @jjeckerm06 Рік тому

      Will confirmation or “FOOOL YOUUU” be posted tomorrow?
      If so, can Dr. Hardback issue a formal apology?

  • @kidddogbites
    @kidddogbites Рік тому +1

    What would be funny is if this was an april fools joke within an april fools joke, by posting a totally legitimate discovery on april fools day.

  • @genghisgalahad8465
    @genghisgalahad8465 Рік тому

    Vikings and gunpowder!! Crawford, Son of Jack! Surtr's Dust!

  • @MartinAhlman
    @MartinAhlman Рік тому +1

    You, and your collaborators, made my day a much happier one! Btw, it's all tru, but you shouldn't be telling anyone!
    Sweden loves you!

  • @tf5
    @tf5 Рік тому +6

    certified bruh moment

  • @daddioux_4024
    @daddioux_4024 Рік тому

    Where is this "University of Texas at Thalia". Doesn't' show up on Google Maps. Isn't listed on the University of Texas System web site anywhere on the tree?

  • @gyorkshire257
    @gyorkshire257 Рік тому

    I was buying this for about 7 minutes! Well done.

  • @Nicholas_Schaeffer
    @Nicholas_Schaeffer Рік тому

    I refuse to believe this is an April fools joke, I refuse to believe this is an April fools joke, I refuse to believe this is an April fools joke

  • @julianfitz806
    @julianfitz806 Рік тому

    Is it just a new interpatation of know manuskripts with "atgeirr`s" as "firespear" (as it was commen in 13th europe) or was a new manuscript found that describes black powder and that lad to the interpreation "firespear"?

  • @jamesfaulkner9968
    @jamesfaulkner9968 Рік тому

    This is outstandingly done, bravo

  • @kevina4998
    @kevina4998 Рік тому

    DAMMIT man you got me with the thumbnail and then ***TOP SECRET HISTORY EXCLUSIVE*** 😂

  • @RolftheRed
    @RolftheRed Рік тому

    Best collaboration ever!

  • @Aeslyth
    @Aeslyth Рік тому

    Amazing as always every year.

  • @MBkufel
    @MBkufel Рік тому +1

    A professor from Hill Valley, California? What could they possibly know about going back in time?

  • @deltabravo1361
    @deltabravo1361 Рік тому

    this has to be the most epic troll (for give the phrase) having just watched the Forgotten Weapons episode and actually taken a nibble at the hook.

  • @shaynethechangingman322
    @shaynethechangingman322 Рік тому

    You had me going for a second there.
    Well played.