Archaeologists are excavating the site of Laugavegur 1 in central Reykjavík after one of the city’s oldest buildings was demolished ahead of a planned reconstruction in its original form.
The timber house, first built in 1848, will be rebuilt using as much of its original material as possible after investigations into 19th-century remains beneath the site are completed.
What’s the Story?
Original source: RÚV
- Archaeologists are uncovering 19th-century remains beneath Laugavegur 1.
- The 1848 building will be reconstructed in its original appearance.
- Salvaged original building materials will be reused wherever possible.
19th-century finds
Archaeologist Sólveig Guðmundsdóttir Beck said the excavation has so far revealed only remains dating from the middle and latter half of the 19th century.
“Everything we are finding dates to the 19th century, mainly the middle and later part of the century. Nothing older has come to light, which is not surprising because, before the house was built, this area was simply hayfields and there were no buildings here according to historic maps,” she said.
Among the discoveries are deposits of peat ash and coal, along with broken household items including plates and bowls used by the families who lived in the front house during the 19th century.
The front building was constructed in 1848 by carpenter and painter Gustav Ahrenz. It was purchased the following year by district magistrate Jón Pétursson, whose family lived there until 1903. The Vísir shop later occupied the building from 1915 until 2015.
The reconstruction is being carried out by the property company Arctic on behalf of Icewear. The company has previously restored another historic building, Hafnarstræti 106 in Akureyri.
While much of the original timber has deteriorated with age, developers say every salvageable component has been preserved in storage and will be incorporated into the rebuilt structure wherever feasible.
Read more stories covering Icelandic society, politics, business, and culture at Iceland Review News.
