Archaeologia Islandica - 01.01.2005, Page 18

Ragnar Edvardsson & Thomas H. McGovern
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS AT
VATNSFJÖRÐUR 2003-04
Vestfírðir has, for the most part, been left out in archaeological research in Iceland.
However, in the past decade archaeoiogical research has slowly been increasing
and today Vestfírðir has become the focal point of many research projects. The
archaeological excavation of Vatnsfjörður in Vestfirðir began in 2003 and contin-
ued in 2004. The excavation unearthed the remains of a longhouse dating to the
Viking Age. The site is of great importance for understanding the settlement of
Vestfirðir as Vatnsíjörður was one of the main seats of power in the area. During
the late Middle Ages it became one of the richest farms in Iceland.
Ragnar Edvardsson, The Graduate School and University Center, CUNY,
Department of Anthropology, 365 ParkAvenue, New York, NY10016. re@hi.is
Thomas H. McGovern, Hunter College Bioarchaeology Laboratory, Dept. of
Anthropology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY10021.
nabo@voicenet. com
Keywords: Vestfirðir, Viking Age, Zooarchaeology, Economy
Introduction
The summer of 2003 saw the beginning
of archaeological research on the farm of
Vatnsíjörður in Isafjarðardjúp. The
research was part of a cooperative
research program aimed at studying
Vestfirðir (the Northwest) during the
Medieval period. The primary goal of
this cooperative effort is to conduct
research in the fields of history, cultural
history, literature and archaeology with
the focal point on the Vestfírðir peninsu-
la. The foremost endeavor being the
archaeological excavations at the farm of
Vatnsfjörður in 2003 and 2004.
The Vatnsljörður farm was
selected for assessment based on the fact
that it is known to be one of the more
important farms in Vestfirðir during the
Medieval period. Furthermore, in the
period between AD 1300 and 1500 it was
one of the richest farms in Iceland. It is
hoped that archaeological research on the
site will aid in understanding the devel-
opment of Vatnsijörður from its first set-
tlement throughout the Medieval period.
It is of great importance to continue to
gain further archaeological data on the
development of the settlement in
Vestfirðir as recent research has shown
that it differs in many respects to the rest
of Iceland. The area itself is under-stud-
ied and there is growing demand for an
increase in research in Vestfirðir as it will
improve our understanding of Viking
Age and Medieval politics, society and
economy.
Historical overview
The farm of Vatnsfjörður is located on a
Archaeologia Islandica 4 (2005) 16-30