Elín Hreiðarsdóttir - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Reports by Elín Hreiðarsdóttir
Íslenskar sundlaugar frá fyrri hluta 20 aldar Lokaskýrsla vegna heimildakönnunar, 2023
This report presents the results of a desk top survey of swimming pools and pool houses in Icelan... more This report presents the results of a desk top survey of swimming pools and pool houses in Iceland built before the mid-20th century. The work was supported by The Architectural Heritage Fund (Húsafriðunarsjóður) in 2020-21. The hope is that the work will be the basis for a standing building survey in the summer of 2024.
The research produced information on 93 swimming pools/pool houses built between the last quarter of 19th century and until 1950. The earliest pools studied were made of turf and occasional examples were also found of pool houses from turf/stone/timber. In the early 20th century, the building material of pools gradually changed from turf to stone to cement by the 1930s. Apart from occasional turf buildings (mostly in the earliest building phase) the oldest pool houses were generally timber buildings until around 1930. After 1930 the number of pools in the country multiplied and soon almost all new pool houses (and pools as well) were made of cement. The earliest buildings (both from timber and cement) were usually very simple constructions, divided into a few cabins/changing compartments, built on the pool bank, very close to the pool. After the 1930s the architecture of pool houses became more varied, especially the houses that were built around indoor pools.
The first estimates of the condition of Icelandic pools from the first half of the 20th century and earlier suggest that the vast majority of the pool houses (two thirds) have since been demolished, often because of later buildings. Only about 17% of the pool houses built before 1950 are still in use as such.
The majority of the pools from the first half of the century do not have any legal protection. Only the buildings older than 1923 are protected by law, as well as three pools that have been
4
protected with a special order (Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, Hreppslaug, Seljavallalaug). It is vital that actions are taken to evaluate the condition of the remaining buildings and that the information is used to evaluate to what extent the remaining pool building heritage can be protected from further damage.
Fornleifaskráning í Fagurey FS942-20177 , 2023
English summary This document offers the results of an archaeological field survey that took plac... more English summary
This document offers the results of an archaeological field survey that took place in Fagurey in Breiðafjörður in the summer of 2022. The work was carried out as a part of the research project Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, culture and economy on an Icelandic church center (RÍM or LCMI – Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland) but the research in Fagurey was mostly funded by Forminjasjóður (The Archaeological Fund). The aim of the research in Fagurey was on one hand to provide further knowledge of the work and surroundings of the thirteenth-century chieftain and writer Sturla Þórðarson, who lived on the island for a period of his live and is believed to have written some of his major work there. The aim of the work in 2022 was to record all known archaeological features on the island and try and explore the cultural landscape and see if any remains from the Middle Ages were still visible on the surface or in the landscape of the island in general. Also, the aim was to evaluate the threat to the cultural landscape, not the least the threat by sea erosion that is a growing concern in Iceland as in many other countries.
A total of about 153 sites were surveyed in Fagurey in 101 locations. In the field, additional to the field survey, drone images were systematically collected to create 3D models of the parts of the island with the highest concentrate of sites. A special attention was given to place names in order to increase the historical depth of the landscape and focus given to the archaeology that was believed to originate in the Middle Ages.
Transhumance in Iceland 800–1800 field report of, 2023
The aim of the project The rise and fall of transhumance in Iceland, 800-1800 (or TransIce for sh... more The aim of the project The rise and fall of transhumance in Iceland, 800-1800 (or TransIce for short) is to further our understanding of the transhumance system in Iceland between AD 800–1800. The project combines historical, archaeological, and palaeoecological evidence with spatial analysis to answer questions regarding the origin, extent and decline of transhumance in Iceland. The more specific objective of WP 2 is to date the origins and end of transhumance in the study areas through small-scale excavation and coring programme using tephrochronology and archaeology at selected sites. This will help shed a light on why and when the shielings first appear and what implications, if any, did they have for agricultural system in Iceland. The dating of the abandonment of the shielings will help to understand weather if the decline of the system is tangible evidence of socio-economic and agricultural restructuring or does it reflect other social factors. A secondary goal is to create a robust typology of shielings, and understand their usage, by drawing on the archaeological material recovered during field survey, excavation and coring, including both environmental samples and finds assemblages from shieling sites.
This report presents the results of the fieldwork done in the first year of the project, during the summer of 2022. The focus of the field season was in Eyjafjörður, north Iceland; more specifically in Svarfaðardalur and Hörgárbyggð where the aim was to assess ten shielings in these areas. The methods used were trenching and/or coring. The sites were dated on the basis of tephrochronology, and the occasional artefact. However, during the first year, 12 sites were investigated, ten of which were trenched, and coring was carried out on ten sites. Samples for both micromorphological and archaeo-entomological analysis were taken at the shieling of Sakka (site 09).
The trenching and coring showed that many of the shielings were constructed and used after 1300. Three of the shielings had an early date (Site 02, 04 and 08) and of those, two shielings (site 02 and 08) had relatively short lifespans. However, most of the shielings appear to have been occupied for centuries. Contrary to the common belief that shielings were located in fertile
9
pastures, this research into the shielings in Hörgárbyggð demonstrated that a large proportion of them were built upon barren ground, on gravel or screes, and may in fact have been a deliberate attempt to enhance the fertility of the soils, increasing vegetation growth through manuring: see Grænhólasel (site 01), Gráskriðusel (site 02), Bægisársel (site 05) and Selhóll (site 03). This resembles later attempts at land cultivation, where livestock are introduced to fertilize and enrich the ground of infertile land (as in the example of nátthagar, i.e. overnight, fenced off pastures, which spread in the late-19th century). Shielings have not been looked at in this context in Iceland before. The high number of sites built in this manner in Hörgárbyggð is interesting as the ground is generally less fertile here than in Svarfaðardalur, where it is possible that the same need for increasing the fertility of the soils was not as significant. This is something that will be further explored in the second year of the project.
STAÐARHÓLL IN DALIR: ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN 2022
This report presents the results of archaeological fieldwork on the farm mound of Staðarhóll in D... more This report presents the results of archaeological fieldwork on the farm mound of Staðarhóll in
Dalasýsla (W-Iceland). This research is a part of a larger project that has the aim to investigate the
basis of the prosperity of the central estate and church site Staðarhóll in Saurbær. The project
Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, Culture and Economy on an Icelandic church centre is funded by RÍM (LCMI –
Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland), a research award established to celebrate 75 years of Iceland´s
independence.
In late summer 2022 five trenches were excavated on the farm mound as well as nine cores
taken to help position the trenches. The investigations drew on an archaeological survey carried
out in 2020 and coring work conducted in 2021, both as a part of the same research.
The result of the research in 2022 shows that there are at least three different phases of midden
accumulation represented in three different areas, although the dating is tentative, even with the
radiocarbon results. The easiest to date was the midden in trench 5, which from the finds is clearly
late 19th and early 20th century. Moreover, given the lack of 19th and 20th century material from
the other middens – an absence which is very hard to explain unless these middens pre-date c. 1800
– suggests the middens on the southern and eastern slopes pre-date the 19th century, which has
been partially confirmed by the C14 dates. Finds and C14 dates from trench 1 and trench 3 suggests
that the midden on the southern side is early modern, i.e. c. 1600-1800. The lack of pottery or
indeed other obviously early modern finds from trench 2 might suggested that it was the earliest
on site which was confirmed by C14 dates placing it in the 15th-16th century. A provisional
interpretation is then that the earliest midden lies on the eastern slope of the farm mound and of
the part excavated, is probably (late) medieval to early modern in date, (i.e. c. 15th-16th century).
This area is probably also that which has seen the most sustained and long-term accumulation. The
midden on the south side is probably early modern only (17th-18th century), while the midden closer
to the top of the farm mound, east of the modern farmhouse, is where the later modern midden
can be found (late 19th-20th century).
These are all very tentative inferences, but it does hint at a complex history of building on
the farm mound where the main farmstead may have moved location or expanded and contracted
over time, none of which ought to be surprising. However, one thing does seem certain and that
is the main area of midden accumulation has been on the eastern side of the farm mound which is
where the longest sequence was found.
Given the historical associations of the site and its presumed high status, the lack of finds
from the trenches was surprising. Part of this is certainly due to preservation. The lack of animal
or fish bone is clearly due to the acidic nature of the soils which largely include of peat ash. The
poor preservation however makes the potential for further investigation somewhat limiting, at least
from a zooarchaeological perspective. On the other hand, the wet conditions may have facilitated
greater preservation of (some) organics at the lower levels, attested by the textile fragment from
Trench 2. Issues of preservation however can hardly account for the paucity of artefacts that are
dismally low. It is hard to square this absence with the known high status of the site and may
suggest something about discard and cleaning practices within the farm, at least during the medieval
and early modern period.
English summary Summary This document offers a progress report outlining the results of the third... more English summary
Summary
This document offers a progress report outlining the results of the third year of the research project Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, culture and economy on an Icelandic church center. The project is funded by RÍM (LCMI – Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland), a research award established to celebrate 75 years of Iceland´s independence. The project is multidisciplinary and is set up as a three-year plan with an additional two years focusing on publication and outreach. The research group consists of scholars from the University of Iceland, the Institute of Archaeology in Iceland, the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic studies and the National Archives of Iceland. The main aim of the research is to provide further knowledge of the work and surroundings of the thirteenth-century chieftain and historian Sturla Þórðarson, who lived and worked at the farm of Staðarhóll for a large part of his life, disseminating its results both to scholars and the public.
Various work took place in the year 2022. The grant for the year was announced in July so the research year will reach into spring/early summer of 2023. In the archaeological part extensive trenching was done on the farm mound of Staðarhóll on one hand and a detailed field survey in Fagurey, where Sturla Þórðarson lived towards the end of his life, was done on the other hand. Additionally, the work on collecting and locating place names from Sturlunga (Saga map) has started and will be finished at the end of the research year. Two independent research projects started in the year, in history a student project on MA level focusing on the farm and church of Staðarhóll in the period 1000-1300 and in literature an MA dissertation on Sturla Þórðarson and his role in the Sturlusafn will be explored. Finally, work on Resens book - one of Sturla´s writings that remains unpublished in complete form – was continued.
Keywords
Staðarhóll, Sturla Þórðarson, Saurbær, Dalir, RÍM, archaeology, cultural landscape, place names, historical studies, Medieval literature
Papers by Elín Hreiðarsdóttir
Fornleifastofnun Íslands, 2019
Fornleifastofnun Íslands, 2019
Íslenskar sundlaugar frá fyrri hluta 20 aldar Lokaskýrsla vegna heimildakönnunar, 2023
This report presents the results of a desk top survey of swimming pools and pool houses in Icelan... more This report presents the results of a desk top survey of swimming pools and pool houses in Iceland built before the mid-20th century. The work was supported by The Architectural Heritage Fund (Húsafriðunarsjóður) in 2020-21. The hope is that the work will be the basis for a standing building survey in the summer of 2024.
The research produced information on 93 swimming pools/pool houses built between the last quarter of 19th century and until 1950. The earliest pools studied were made of turf and occasional examples were also found of pool houses from turf/stone/timber. In the early 20th century, the building material of pools gradually changed from turf to stone to cement by the 1930s. Apart from occasional turf buildings (mostly in the earliest building phase) the oldest pool houses were generally timber buildings until around 1930. After 1930 the number of pools in the country multiplied and soon almost all new pool houses (and pools as well) were made of cement. The earliest buildings (both from timber and cement) were usually very simple constructions, divided into a few cabins/changing compartments, built on the pool bank, very close to the pool. After the 1930s the architecture of pool houses became more varied, especially the houses that were built around indoor pools.
The first estimates of the condition of Icelandic pools from the first half of the 20th century and earlier suggest that the vast majority of the pool houses (two thirds) have since been demolished, often because of later buildings. Only about 17% of the pool houses built before 1950 are still in use as such.
The majority of the pools from the first half of the century do not have any legal protection. Only the buildings older than 1923 are protected by law, as well as three pools that have been
4
protected with a special order (Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, Hreppslaug, Seljavallalaug). It is vital that actions are taken to evaluate the condition of the remaining buildings and that the information is used to evaluate to what extent the remaining pool building heritage can be protected from further damage.
Fornleifaskráning í Fagurey FS942-20177 , 2023
English summary This document offers the results of an archaeological field survey that took plac... more English summary
This document offers the results of an archaeological field survey that took place in Fagurey in Breiðafjörður in the summer of 2022. The work was carried out as a part of the research project Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, culture and economy on an Icelandic church center (RÍM or LCMI – Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland) but the research in Fagurey was mostly funded by Forminjasjóður (The Archaeological Fund). The aim of the research in Fagurey was on one hand to provide further knowledge of the work and surroundings of the thirteenth-century chieftain and writer Sturla Þórðarson, who lived on the island for a period of his live and is believed to have written some of his major work there. The aim of the work in 2022 was to record all known archaeological features on the island and try and explore the cultural landscape and see if any remains from the Middle Ages were still visible on the surface or in the landscape of the island in general. Also, the aim was to evaluate the threat to the cultural landscape, not the least the threat by sea erosion that is a growing concern in Iceland as in many other countries.
A total of about 153 sites were surveyed in Fagurey in 101 locations. In the field, additional to the field survey, drone images were systematically collected to create 3D models of the parts of the island with the highest concentrate of sites. A special attention was given to place names in order to increase the historical depth of the landscape and focus given to the archaeology that was believed to originate in the Middle Ages.
Transhumance in Iceland 800–1800 field report of, 2023
The aim of the project The rise and fall of transhumance in Iceland, 800-1800 (or TransIce for sh... more The aim of the project The rise and fall of transhumance in Iceland, 800-1800 (or TransIce for short) is to further our understanding of the transhumance system in Iceland between AD 800–1800. The project combines historical, archaeological, and palaeoecological evidence with spatial analysis to answer questions regarding the origin, extent and decline of transhumance in Iceland. The more specific objective of WP 2 is to date the origins and end of transhumance in the study areas through small-scale excavation and coring programme using tephrochronology and archaeology at selected sites. This will help shed a light on why and when the shielings first appear and what implications, if any, did they have for agricultural system in Iceland. The dating of the abandonment of the shielings will help to understand weather if the decline of the system is tangible evidence of socio-economic and agricultural restructuring or does it reflect other social factors. A secondary goal is to create a robust typology of shielings, and understand their usage, by drawing on the archaeological material recovered during field survey, excavation and coring, including both environmental samples and finds assemblages from shieling sites.
This report presents the results of the fieldwork done in the first year of the project, during the summer of 2022. The focus of the field season was in Eyjafjörður, north Iceland; more specifically in Svarfaðardalur and Hörgárbyggð where the aim was to assess ten shielings in these areas. The methods used were trenching and/or coring. The sites were dated on the basis of tephrochronology, and the occasional artefact. However, during the first year, 12 sites were investigated, ten of which were trenched, and coring was carried out on ten sites. Samples for both micromorphological and archaeo-entomological analysis were taken at the shieling of Sakka (site 09).
The trenching and coring showed that many of the shielings were constructed and used after 1300. Three of the shielings had an early date (Site 02, 04 and 08) and of those, two shielings (site 02 and 08) had relatively short lifespans. However, most of the shielings appear to have been occupied for centuries. Contrary to the common belief that shielings were located in fertile
9
pastures, this research into the shielings in Hörgárbyggð demonstrated that a large proportion of them were built upon barren ground, on gravel or screes, and may in fact have been a deliberate attempt to enhance the fertility of the soils, increasing vegetation growth through manuring: see Grænhólasel (site 01), Gráskriðusel (site 02), Bægisársel (site 05) and Selhóll (site 03). This resembles later attempts at land cultivation, where livestock are introduced to fertilize and enrich the ground of infertile land (as in the example of nátthagar, i.e. overnight, fenced off pastures, which spread in the late-19th century). Shielings have not been looked at in this context in Iceland before. The high number of sites built in this manner in Hörgárbyggð is interesting as the ground is generally less fertile here than in Svarfaðardalur, where it is possible that the same need for increasing the fertility of the soils was not as significant. This is something that will be further explored in the second year of the project.
STAÐARHÓLL IN DALIR: ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN 2022
This report presents the results of archaeological fieldwork on the farm mound of Staðarhóll in D... more This report presents the results of archaeological fieldwork on the farm mound of Staðarhóll in
Dalasýsla (W-Iceland). This research is a part of a larger project that has the aim to investigate the
basis of the prosperity of the central estate and church site Staðarhóll in Saurbær. The project
Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, Culture and Economy on an Icelandic church centre is funded by RÍM (LCMI –
Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland), a research award established to celebrate 75 years of Iceland´s
independence.
In late summer 2022 five trenches were excavated on the farm mound as well as nine cores
taken to help position the trenches. The investigations drew on an archaeological survey carried
out in 2020 and coring work conducted in 2021, both as a part of the same research.
The result of the research in 2022 shows that there are at least three different phases of midden
accumulation represented in three different areas, although the dating is tentative, even with the
radiocarbon results. The easiest to date was the midden in trench 5, which from the finds is clearly
late 19th and early 20th century. Moreover, given the lack of 19th and 20th century material from
the other middens – an absence which is very hard to explain unless these middens pre-date c. 1800
– suggests the middens on the southern and eastern slopes pre-date the 19th century, which has
been partially confirmed by the C14 dates. Finds and C14 dates from trench 1 and trench 3 suggests
that the midden on the southern side is early modern, i.e. c. 1600-1800. The lack of pottery or
indeed other obviously early modern finds from trench 2 might suggested that it was the earliest
on site which was confirmed by C14 dates placing it in the 15th-16th century. A provisional
interpretation is then that the earliest midden lies on the eastern slope of the farm mound and of
the part excavated, is probably (late) medieval to early modern in date, (i.e. c. 15th-16th century).
This area is probably also that which has seen the most sustained and long-term accumulation. The
midden on the south side is probably early modern only (17th-18th century), while the midden closer
to the top of the farm mound, east of the modern farmhouse, is where the later modern midden
can be found (late 19th-20th century).
These are all very tentative inferences, but it does hint at a complex history of building on
the farm mound where the main farmstead may have moved location or expanded and contracted
over time, none of which ought to be surprising. However, one thing does seem certain and that
is the main area of midden accumulation has been on the eastern side of the farm mound which is
where the longest sequence was found.
Given the historical associations of the site and its presumed high status, the lack of finds
from the trenches was surprising. Part of this is certainly due to preservation. The lack of animal
or fish bone is clearly due to the acidic nature of the soils which largely include of peat ash. The
poor preservation however makes the potential for further investigation somewhat limiting, at least
from a zooarchaeological perspective. On the other hand, the wet conditions may have facilitated
greater preservation of (some) organics at the lower levels, attested by the textile fragment from
Trench 2. Issues of preservation however can hardly account for the paucity of artefacts that are
dismally low. It is hard to square this absence with the known high status of the site and may
suggest something about discard and cleaning practices within the farm, at least during the medieval
and early modern period.
English summary Summary This document offers a progress report outlining the results of the third... more English summary
Summary
This document offers a progress report outlining the results of the third year of the research project Staðarhóll in Dalir: Nature, culture and economy on an Icelandic church center. The project is funded by RÍM (LCMI – Literary Culture in Medieval Iceland), a research award established to celebrate 75 years of Iceland´s independence. The project is multidisciplinary and is set up as a three-year plan with an additional two years focusing on publication and outreach. The research group consists of scholars from the University of Iceland, the Institute of Archaeology in Iceland, the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic studies and the National Archives of Iceland. The main aim of the research is to provide further knowledge of the work and surroundings of the thirteenth-century chieftain and historian Sturla Þórðarson, who lived and worked at the farm of Staðarhóll for a large part of his life, disseminating its results both to scholars and the public.
Various work took place in the year 2022. The grant for the year was announced in July so the research year will reach into spring/early summer of 2023. In the archaeological part extensive trenching was done on the farm mound of Staðarhóll on one hand and a detailed field survey in Fagurey, where Sturla Þórðarson lived towards the end of his life, was done on the other hand. Additionally, the work on collecting and locating place names from Sturlunga (Saga map) has started and will be finished at the end of the research year. Two independent research projects started in the year, in history a student project on MA level focusing on the farm and church of Staðarhóll in the period 1000-1300 and in literature an MA dissertation on Sturla Þórðarson and his role in the Sturlusafn will be explored. Finally, work on Resens book - one of Sturla´s writings that remains unpublished in complete form – was continued.
Keywords
Staðarhóll, Sturla Þórðarson, Saurbær, Dalir, RÍM, archaeology, cultural landscape, place names, historical studies, Medieval literature
Fornleifastofnun Íslands, 2019
Fornleifastofnun Íslands, 2019
In 2009, an international team cooperated in survey, coring, and small scale test excavation work... more In 2009, an international team cooperated in survey, coring, and small scale test excavation work on selected sites in the Eyjafjord region in North Iceland. This concluded the initial part of the Gásir Hinterlands Project which was predominantly funded by a NSF IPY Dissertation Improvement Grant. A thorough account on the field season and artifact analyses from the 2008 and 2009 seasons are presented here.
International Journal of Historical Archaeology, 2012
ABSTRACT
- Samantekt um vettvangsrannsóknir í Skuldaþingsey, Þegjandadal, á Litlu-Núpum, og Fljótsheiði. .... more - Samantekt um vettvangsrannsóknir í Skuldaþingsey, Þegjandadal, á Litlu-Núpum, og Fljótsheiði. ... Adolf Friðriksson, Elín Ósk Hreiðarsdóttir, Howell Magnús Roberts og Oscar Aldred. ... © Fornleifastofnun Íslands 2006 Bárugötu 3 101 Reykjavík Sími: 551 1033 Fax: ...
Fornleifastofnun Íslands conducted an archaeological excavation at the known medieval trade site ... more Fornleifastofnun Íslands conducted an archaeological excavation at the known medieval trade site of Gásir in Eyjaförður between July 1st and August 22nd 2003. This work focused chiefly on a large open area excavation immediately to the west of the area examined in 2002. The total area now under investigation is approximately 600m², and is characterised by exceptionally complex archaeological structures and deposits up to 2m deep. The excavation was conducted on behalf of Minjasafnið á Akureyri, and formed the third field season of a major excavation project, scheduled to last for six years. Excavation revealed the well preserved remains of a number of sunken featured buildings, believed to date to the 14th and possibly also the early 15th centuries. Substantial quantities of post-abandonment deposits were removed, revealing a complex sequence of occupational layers, including floors, hearths, paths, entrances and a putative "industrial" area. Additionally, trial excavation was carried out upon a number of outlying structures, in order to clarify their dating, function and possible association with the main ruin group. Excavation recovered a wide range of artefactual evidence, including items of slag, iron, copper alloy, pottery, stone, bone, horn and ivory. The study of sulphur and sulphur residues recovered in 2002 is ongoing (see Adderley et al. below), as is the analysis of faunal remains recovered in 2002-2003 (see McGovern et al., below). Excavation at Gásir in 2003 was made possible by generous grants from Ríkisjóður and the Kristnihátíðarsjóður. We are most grateful for this support and for the support and cooperation of a large number of individuals and institutions.