A newly discovered sunken structure at Stöð in East Iceland has added to archaeological evidence that people were active in the area before the country’s traditional settlement period began around 870.
The structure was found beneath an ancient waste deposit during the 12th consecutive summer of excavations at Stöðvarfjörður. Remains previously uncovered at the site indicate human activity during the first half of the ninth century.
What’s the Story?
Original source: RÚV
- Archaeologists found a sunken structure beneath an ancient waste deposit
- The site contains evidence of activity before permanent settlement
- Excavations are expected to continue for several more years
Signs of seasonal trade
Excavation director Bjarni F. Einarsson believes people may have stayed at Stöð seasonally, processing oil from marine mammals for export. He describes this period before permanent settlement as an “outpost phase” and argues that such activity helped create the conditions for Iceland’s later settlement.
One line of evidence comes from a third hall discovered at the site. More than 100 stone discs have been recovered from the building, a notably different collection of finds from those in two previously excavated halls. Similar discs have been found in Ireland, and Bjarni theorises that they may have been used as stoppers for containers holding oil intended for export.
He expects investigation of the third hall to be completed next summer.
The newly uncovered sunken structure was found beneath a waste deposit that archaeologists have excavated for years. Bjarni said the discovery was both unexpected and unsurprising, noting that such structures in Iceland often ended up being used as rubbish pits.
Despite more than a decade of work, substantial parts of Stöð remain unexplored. Bjarni said he expects to continue excavating for another four summers, although the site will still be far from fully investigated.
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