Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 2016, Qupperneq 129

ÁRBÓK FORNLEIFAFÉLAGSINS128
Summary
Gufuskálar in Snæfellsnes: Archaeological investigations 2008-2015
Fishing has always played a major role in the Icelandic economy and fishing sites
are found all around Iceland. There has however been limited archaeological
interest in these sites prior to the past 10-15 years. Gufuskálar, a farm and a seasonal
fishing site, is such a site and like many coastal sites it is partly disappearing due to
erosion. Gufuskálar sits on the northern tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, close to
rich fishing grounds. It has been dated to 15th century, although the dating if the
site may change as more work is carried out. Archaeological investigations were
conducted at Gufuskálar in the years 2008-2015. This included an archaeological
survey of the entire farm, systematic recording of changes with aerial photography,
GIS mapping and a rescue excavation on selected areas. This article is intended
to be an introduction to the site and the research, as much of the analytical work
is still being carried out. It focuses on the main findings, such as the structures
excavated and surveyed, as well as the primary analysis of artefactual and animal
bone evidence, which might suggest what life was like for the inhabitants of the
fishing station at Gufuskálar.