Archaeological and historical investigation of the origin, extent and decline of the HÖRG and SVARF settlement.

The aim of this work package is to investigate aspects of the social and settlement history of the Two Valley area (Svarfaðardalur – SVARF, Hörgárdalur – HÖRG and vicinity). Areas of the upper parts of the valleys do not show the same characteristics in cultural landscape make-up as the lower areas and the coastal area. They mostly lack prechristian burials and the number of early churches pr. farm is far lower than in the lower valleys and coastal area. The aim of this work package is to determine the age, extent and nature of early settlement in the other parts of HÖRG and SVARF (Fram-Svarfaðardalur), where few pagan graves and churches have been found or are documented, by means of small-scale excavations with the purpose of dating turf boundary walls and dwellings; sampling farm mounds and middens; and locating possible pagan graves. Dating approaches will include tephrochronology, Sediment Accumulation Rates, alongside artefact and structural typology – and supplemented by radiometric dating where suitable materials can be recovered.

Articles, publications, slides etc.

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Power, wealth and plague in two valleys: Field report of 2021, work packages 1 & 2

Fornleifarannsóknir í Svarfaðardal 2020: Könnunarskurður vegna undirbúnings verkefnisins Tveir dalir (Archaeological Research in Svarfaðardalur 2020).