Nýjar rannsóknir í fornleifafræði: Two farms, two environmental legacies

Elísabet Ásta Eyþórsdóttir heldur fyrirlesturinn Two farms, two environmental legacies: comparing social standing and environmental impact during Iceland’s Settlement, í fyrirlestraröðinni Nýjar rannsóknir í íslenskri fornleifafræði.

Fyrirlesturinn verður haldinn í streymi á Zoom. Hann fer fram á ensku.

Nýjar rannsóknir í íslenskri fornleifafræð er fyrirlestraröð Félags fornleifafræðinga, námsbrautar í fornleifafræði við Háskóla Íslands og Þjóðminjasafns Íslands.

Um fyrirlesturinn

While the timing and impact of Iceland’s Settlement has been investigated through palynologically investigations, until now few studies have adopted a wholistic approach in reconstructing the nuances of environmental impact in a region associated with societal standing. Using a mosaic of historic, palynological and geologic data, we develop a more detailed understanding of the environmental impact of two farms (with documented different social standing) in Svarfaðardalur of North Iceland.

Historical and archaeological data shape hypotheses for paleoenvironmental research. The study focuses on Kot and Sakka farms in Svarfaðardalur. The study reveals that Kot, established around AD 1100 in Skíðadalur, had lower social standing, while Sakka, settled earlier in Svarfaðardalur, was a large, wealthy farm of high social standing.

By comparing the two farms the study addresses the timing and nature of human impact and environmental changes due to land use. Peatland profiles near the farms were palynologically analysed, showing a delayed decline in birch woodland at both locations. The delay at Kot is likely due to its late establishment, while Sakka's late woodland decline poses challenges- yet possible links, to resource management, population expansion, or methodological aspects. This research illuminates the intricate interplay between human activities, population expansion, and environmental changes in the valleys.