Unique 1,000-Year-Old Artifacts And Skeletons Discovered In Iceland

MessageToEagle.com – Skagafjörður is a deep bay in Iceland. It’s a place of great archaeological interest and researchers have been excavating here for many years. Over the years, scientists have found several intriguing ancient objects.
The recent discovery consists of unique 1,000-year-old artifacts, skeletons and remains of a fairly large church.

Skagafjörður, Iceland
Skagafjörður, Iceland Image credit: www.visitskagafjordur.is

As many as 45 ancient graves in a circle formed churchyard, with a number of skeletons in various shapes of decay. The churchyard had been used from the year 1000, the year Iceland converted to Christianity, and has been used until after 1104, a year the volcano Hekla erupted, spewing ashes all over the country, making it possible to date archeological findings with some certainty.

Ancient coin with a cross discovered in Skagafjörður, Iceland
Ancient coin with a cross discovered in Skagafjörður, Iceland. Image credit: Iceland Review

 

Two unique artifacts have been unearthed at the site. One is a bone pin with an animal head. The other one is a silver coin, somewhat similar to other coins found in Nordic countries, but thought to have some distinguishing features, which will be examined by specialists. Another such pin has been found at Keldurdalur, another nearby site in Skagafjörður.

See also:

Mysterious Cross Sculptures In Iceland’s Old Caves – Who Made Them?

‘Woman In Blue’ Sheds Light On Iceland’s Earliest Settlers

Viking ‘Parliament’ Site Discovered On The Island Of Bute

More Archaeology News

 

Ancient a bone pin with an animal head discovered in Skagafjörður, Iceland
Ancient a bone pin with an animal head discovered in Skagafjörður, Iceland. Image credit: Iceland Review

In the space of two years an early Christian cemetery, a pagan grave field and associated Viking-Age settlement came to light due to various construction activities, subsequently examined archaeologically. The cemetery is, to date, the most complete 11th century cemetery excavated in Iceland.

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