The tack maker specialises in making all the leather parts of the saddle, packsaddle, bridle etc. He has a small table with a wooden clamp for leather, a sharp sickle-like tool, various cutting pliers and punches, awls and sewing needles.
The farrier
The farrier also uses a chair supporting a tree trunk, to which is attached the small iron farrier’s anvil. The various shapes and sizes of horseshoe and the special nails are made by the smith. The farrier heats them in the forge to shape them to the animal’s hoof. He uses a few simple tools: hammers, pincers and special cutting pliers for cleaning the hooves.
TRADE
During the long occupation of Crete, trade in rural areas was almost nonexistent and barter was used, even for buying sheep and goats or beasts of burden. Only the Venetians and, later, the Turks were allowed to engage in commerce, being established near the ports of the towns of northern Crete. The intermediaries were Jews and Armenians living in the towns. From the 15th century onwards, the main products of the countryside were “malvicino” wine (malmsey) and olive oil. The farmers brought their goods to sell outside the city every morning.
Very little currency circulated in the countryside, so Venetian and Turkish coins are rarely found in archaeological digs. Of course there were various scales, volumetric vessels and measures, but the basic currency was oil and grain.
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