Archaeologia Islandica - 01.01.2005, Page 31

Archaeological Excavations at Vatnsfjörður 2003-04
centimeters but on the farm mound itself
2-3 meters deep cultural deposits can be
expected.
The 2004 excavations identified
a Viking Age longhouse, north of the
farm mound. This longhouse had two
occupational phases and, during the later
phase, the longhouse had been shortened
and changed its function. It is interesting
to note that the longhouse at Vatnsfjörður
is very similar to the longhouse found
during the excavation at Aðalstræti in
2001. Both longhouses have the same
north/east to south/west orientation and
have approximately the same length and
width. The central hearths of the long-
houses are similarly built with similar
dimensions. The longhouse in Aðalstræti
has been dated to the lOth century.
The archaeological evidence
suggests an equally early date for the
longhouse at Vatnsfjörður and, if radio-
carbon dating concurs, makes the long-
house one of the oldest buildings exca-
vated in the Vestfirðir region. The effects
of such an early date for the site of Vatns-
fjörður will also have a broader impact on
the historical view of settlement in this
region. The results of the research at this
site alone are contrary to the long-held
notion that Vestfirðir was settled later
than the rest of Iceland.
The excavations at Vatnsfjörður
are greatly encouraging and further
investigation at the site will be of a great
assistance in understanding various
aspects of the settlement and its develop-
ment through time. The role of Vatns-
fjöröur in Icelandic history makes it,
without a doubt, one of the more cultur-
ally important sites in Iceland. On a local
level it is the single most important site in
the region as it was the main seat of
power in Vestfírðir from the 9th - 15th
centuries and is comparable in impor-
tance with later sites such as Skálholt and
Hólar. Further research will also increase
our knowledge of Viking to early modem
economies and produce valuable infor-
mation regarding wealth and status of
chieftains of the period. Such research
will enhance understanding of how chief-
tains came to power and more particular-
ly, the foundations of that power in the
Vestfirðir region.
Acknowledgements:
This research was funded by the Ice-
landic parliament. The researchers would
like to use this opportunity to thank the
various people and institutes for their
help and support. Ruth Maher gets spe-
cial thanks for her patience and useful
suggestions.
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