Ruins of three houses from the 10th and11th centuries have been discovered at the archaeological excavation site at Hál by Kárahnújukar. Morgunbladid reports that the three houses are underneath a layer of ash from the Hekla eruption of 1104.
In an interview with Morgunbladid, archaeologist Gardar Gudmundsson finds it is interesting that the houses are situated at over 600 meters above sea level which is unusual for Iceland. One possible explanation for the location is that the houses were temporary summer dwellings used when tending to sheep at nearby pastures. The other possibility is that it was intended as a permanent dwelling says Gardar.
A large glass pearl, thought to originate in the middle-east, was found in garbage by the house.
Morgunbladid points out that the area where the ruins were found will be submerged when the glacial river Jökulsá á Dal will by dammed to create Hálslón, the reservoir that will feed the hydroelectric plant under construction at Kárahnjúkar. The excavation is financed by the National Power Company, Landsvirkjun.
