Archaeologia Islandica - 01.01.2013, Page 48

SÓLVEIG GUÐMUNDSDÓTTIR BECK
Falcons were trapped in nets with the
aid of live bait, e.g. ptarmigans, pigeons
or chickens (Horrebow 1966, 116;
Ólafsson and Pálsson 1981, 341;
Jónasson 1945, 193), but most likely
many other types of birds would have
also done the trick (see Pálsson 1945,
676-678). Þórðarson (1957, 83) suggests
that the fox and its cubs could also have
been used. During the Danish falcon trade
the birds were ideally supposed to be
between 2-3 years old and in perfect
condition. Not even broken feathers were
allowed, although Þórðarson (1957, 90)
suggests the age limit may not have been
thought overly important. While in
transport falcons always had hoods on
and things associated with them were
often made of leather such as hoods,
leashes and foot straps (table 1). Falcons
were often even equipped with bells
(Þórðarson 1957, 84; Glasier 1978,
75-98).
According to Magnússon and Vídalín
(JÁM III, 1982), people which were
living on the King's land in neighbouring
districts around Bessastaðir, had to give
up storage space for housing the falcons
and free work in transporting them to ship
during the falcon monopoly of the Danish
kings. People also had to give up
livestock (e.g. sheep, lambs and cattle) on
hoof to feed the birds on their joumey
(Anonymous 1932-1935, 80; Þórðarson
1957, 84) as well as hay to feed the
livestock (JÁMIII, 1982). Before starting
the voyage, animals were slaughtered for
fourteen days feeding. Once that was
eaten up, livestock was slaughtered on the
way as needed (Þórðarson 1957, 84;
Horrebow 1966, 121).
Housing and archaeology
In 1663 a falcon house had already been
built in Bessastaðir, which is thought to
have already been standing for a while by
that time. In 1751 the falcon house is one
of the largest houses on the premises
(figure 5) and it stood at Bessastaðir until
the year 1763 when it was moved to
Reykjavík. In 1868 it was finally tom
down (Ólafsson 2010, 16 and 19-21;
Þórðarson 1957, 90). According to
Þórðarson (1957, 85) the falcon's living
quarters had to be scrupulously clean to
keep the birds healthy so the floors were
often covered with cloth that was cleaned
two to three times a week (table 1).
Iceland (Þórðarson 1957, 87-88) was split
into around ten special trapping districts
during the Danish falcon monopoly and
one falcon hunter was in charge in each
district. Presumably each falconer had to
have a house or shack at his post to keep
the birds already trapped clean and
healthy. How many falcons a trapper
could catch each season (early March to
beginning of June; Þórðarson 1957, 89) is
unclear but most likely it was no more
than 10-15 birds. Any remnants left
behind each season were therefore most
likely unsubstantial but if trappers
remained in the same place through many
seasons, and always stored the falcons in
the same place, such activity should have
left traces of feathers from preening,
parasites, excrement etc. for
archaeologists to uncover. However, as
falcon houses were supposedly kept very
clean, it reduces the chances of fmding
such evidence inside falcon housing, but it
is equally unlikely that evidence of over a
hundred falcons in a place like Bessastaðir
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