Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 2014, Page 145

ÁRBÓK FORNLEIFAFÉLAGSINS144
Summary
Patching up the built heritage
This article has two main aims: 1. To present an overview of the history of built
and drawn reconstructions in Iceland. 2. To consider if and how the authors of
reconstruction drawings present uncertainty and the questions lying behind them.
The history of reconstruction drawings in Iceland goes back to the 18th century,
initially and mainly in connection to the early publication of Saga literature. Later
reconstructions were inspired by archaeological excavations, such as the one at Stöng
in Þjórsárdalur in 1939, which includes drawings by Aage Roussell and Hörður
Ágústsson. Other drawings by Hörður Ágústsson were based on descriptions in
written sources. Drawings of Skálholt and Hólar cathedrals are examples of this as
well as Laufás, both the church and farm. Some houses have also been built, based
on both excavations and reconstruction drawings, for example Eiríksstaðir and the
church at Þjóðveldisbær.
The oldest reconstructed building is Þuríðarbúð from 1949 but many such
houses have been built as monuments to commemorate grand scale events in
Icelandic history, for example the anniversary of the 1100 years of settlement of
Iceland in 1974 (Þjóðveldisbær), of the discovery of America/Vínland (Eiríksstaðir
in 2000) the christianization of Iceland in the year 2000 (Auðunarstofa, stafkirkja í
Vestmanneyjum, kirkja við Þjóðveldisbæ, all between 2000-2001) and the anniversary
of the republic in 1994 (Hrafnseyri við Arnarfjörð). As a comparison it is pointed out
that many medieval churches in Europe were heavily and irreversibly restored in the
19th century, being stripped of their later history.
The article suggests some alternative ways to present buildings of the past, e.g. by
using computer models. This is recommended rather than erecting actual buildings
since their maintenance is very costly. Instead of filling gaps in the architectural
history of Iceland with reconstructions, it is better to maintain, research and present
the actual remaining authentic heritage; to discover what makes those building
remains unique and find ways to present them to locals and tourists.