Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 01.01.2010, Blaðsíða 124
ÓFEIGSKIRKJA NÝTUR VAFANS 123
Summary
A lava rock in the Gálgahraun lava field known as Ófeigskirkja (Ófeigur’s Church),
which was to be razed in connection with a roadbuilding project on the Álftanes
peninsula, was allotted the same status as nearby ancient travel routes by the authorities
responsible for conservation of heritage sites, although it could not be established with
any certainty that the rock was eligible for conservation under the National Heritage
Act, as a site traditionally deemed to have supernatural significance, or a place or
landmark significant in custom, tradition, folklore or folktales.
Written sources about Ófeigskirkja date back under one hundred years, although
the placename itself may be considerably older. Placename records give no indication
that the place has any sanctified status; and it may be deemed quite certain that, had
the rock been regarded as a home of elves or “hidden people,” that would have been
noted.
In addition, there are strong indications that this specific lava rock assumed the
name Ófeigskirkja when another rock of that name was removed to make way for
construction of the Álftanes road, a century ago.
A study of sources indicates unambiguously that there were no tales of elves
connected to Ófeigskirkja until recently. This entails that, even were it established that
the present rock named Ófeigskirkja was the same as had always been known by that
name, it could not be deemed a site of supernatural significance under the Act until
2109 at the earliest, as belief in supernatural significance must have existed for at least
a hundred years, unless the place were specifically listed as a heritage site. No such
listing was envisaged, however. The Archaeological Heritage Agency agreed to the
removal of the rock with certain conditions as if it were of historical importance.
Administrative rulings in the field of heritage conservation must be based
upon objective reasoning, and have a basis in law. The author is of the view that
the Archaeological Heritage Agency should have allowed the removal of the rock
unconditionally, and that a review should be carried out of whether the National
Heritage Act defines heritage sites too broadly.