Archaeologia Islandica - 01.01.2005, Page 80

James Taylor, Guðrún Alda Gísladóttir, Andrea Harðardóttir and Gavin Lucas
5 cm
Figure 6. Fish hooks from Eyri, area F. Most common type was a fish hook with flat hammered
head and a barb.
deposits are somewhat mixed. Some of
the artefacts present are from the post-
abandonment period up to early 20th
century, including common wire nails,
barb wire and a plastic fragment. But
nevertheless, the material and the objects
represent what appears to be a fairly high
status 19th century farm site by the sea.
Conclusion and discussion
The combination of the 2003 and 2004
evaluation trenches excavated on or
around the farm mound at Eyri has suc-
ceeded in demonstrating the substantial
archaeological potential of the site. It
appears that within the main farm mound
itself, the archaeological sequence is both
well-preserved and survives to some con-
siderable depth. Up to 1.7 m of accumu-
lation may be noted across the site and
this is thought to reflect a lengthy period
of occupation, and complex structural
deposits. However, the trenches excavat-
ed in the later season have also clearly
demonstrated that the midden, to the
southwest of the main mound, shares a
similar degree of high preservation, par-
ticularly with regard to the faunal assem-
blage. However, it must be noted that
there is, as yet, no clear indication of the
depth or extent of the midden material. It
is probable that the midden has been
disturbed, most obviously by the large
statue base set in the top of the mound.
However, it could be anticipated that the
landscaping and construction of the near-
by road and footpath to the south may
also have partially truncated the midden
as well. The evaluation process has also
demonstrated the apparent survival of the
boundaries of the home field. Although
only seen in part, it must be assumed that
the home field could be traced across
most of its extent. The most significant
element of the work is the opening of
area F, the first full excavation area to be
stripped on the site. Although the
deposits excavated thus far were exclu-
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