The diet in Icelandic monasteries and convents is likely to have been rather diverse, as indicated in recent research carried out by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) and National Museum of Iceland.
Fractions of pottery from Skriðuklaustur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur are being studied and the first results indicate that they contained fish, meat from mammals and also nuts, seeds or berries, Morgunblaðið reports.
A convent and monastery was operated at Skriðuklaustur in East Iceland in the 15th and 16th centuries, while Kirkjubæjarklaustur in South Iceland was the site of a convent in operation from the 12th century until the Reformation in 1550.
