Oldest Viking settlement possibly unearthed in Iceland

[FfFfFfFF 58,125]

Archaeologists have unearthed what may be the oldest Viking settlement in Iceland.

The ancient longhouse is thought to be a summer settlement built in the 800s, decades before seafaring refugees are supposed to have settled the island, and was hidden beneath a younger longhouse brimming with treasures, said archaeologist Bjarni Einarsson, who led the excavations.

"The younger hall is the richest in Iceland so far," Einarsson told Live Science. "It is hard not to conclude that it is a chieftain's house."

Among the finds: Roman and Middle Eastern silver coins, and "hacksilver," which are cut and bent pieces of silver used as bullion or currency by the Vikings and other ancient peoples.

Hidden beneath the treasure-filled longhouse was an even older structure. Chemical and other analysis suggest this buried longhouse was built in the 800s, long before the permanent settlement of Iceland, Einarsson said. He thinks it was a seasonal settlement or camp, occupied only during the summer and maybe into the fall, by workers in the area.

Parts of the older building investigated so far show it was one of the largest longhouses ever found in Iceland.

Source

[FfFfFfFF 58,125]

Overview from Smithsonian Magazine

Modern replica of viking settlement but from Scotland.

[Cameltoe Chariot 15,310]

My people 

Spoiler

looking into records to see if I'm related to this rich viking chieftain so I can get my fair share 

 

[GagaSine 7,464]

Wow  so fascinating

[tomsches 17,550]

I love Iceland! Definitely my favourite country!