A roughly-five-meter long fire pit which was recently discovered by an archaeological dig at Lækjargata in Reykjavík will be allowed to remain in situ, it has now been decided.
The Viking fire pit will become a feature inside the new Hotels of Iceland hotel which is being built on the site over the coming couple of years. The ancient feature will be protected and presented within the hotel in co-operation with the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland.
It is not yet clear whether the long fire pit will be elevated, or if it will rather be put below floor level under glass. Hotels of Iceland’s Ólafur Torfason is sure, however, that the archaeological find will make an interesting feature of the hotel and says that discussions are already underway on how to decorate the surroundings and make the artefact’s history come to life, mbl reported.
The long, stone fire pit is among the largest so far discovered in Iceland and has genuine historical value from the Settlement Age. Most other artefacts uncovered in the same spot so far are believed to have more value for researchers than heritage value for display.
The fire pit is part of a selection of archaeological finds which unexpected came to light recently. The dig is being conducted by archaeologist Lísbet Guðmundsdóttir and the remains are believed to be from the 10th-13th century.
