Viking Archaeology

Archaeology in Iceland

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Viking Age Archaeology in Iceland

 

Land Usage

Land Usage has changed considerably, mostly as a result of as a result of overgrazing.  Grassland, which represented some 40% of the land at the time of settlement, has dwindled to 22% and Brush and Forest has dropped from 25% to only 1%. Sterile wasteland, however, has risen from 18% to 58% of the land. (see table…)

Dating the settlement of Iceland

The reliance of driftwood for fuel means that there are potential problems using wood for C¹⁴ dating of settlement period sites. It is suggested that C¹⁴ dates from grain such as barley will give more reliable results. (see table here...)

The volcanic nature of Iceland means that tephrochronology - the use of layers of volcanic ash as a dating medium – can be helpful. In particular, importance the so-called Landnám Tephra - a layer of volcanic ash that precedes the earliest settlement – has proved very useful in dating early settlement.
(see "Tephrochronology and the dating of the Settlement")

See also: Erin-Lee McGuire, "Archaeology in Iceland: Recent Developments".

 

 Next page: The Excavated Farm at Stöng

 

 

 

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