Midden Investigations at Saltvík N Iceland, August 2003 (field report)

Summary

This report presents the results of a first stage investigation of

possible midden deposits at the site of Saltvík near Husavik in N Iceland carried

out August 12

th

2003. An Oakfield tube-type soil corer was used to probe

possible midden deposits around five structures associated with what appears to

be three concentration of structures (NW, W, and NE) on the hillside and stream

gullies to the S of the modern farm and horse stable area of Saltvík. These

structural complexes are on either side of the two pre-christian burials higher up

on the hillside. The site survey data, measured plans all excavation data for

the structures and burials was collected by FSl (Archaeological Institute Iceland)

teams and is reported separately. Coring around the NW and NE structural

complexes indicated fairly thin and discontinuous deposits, except directly to the

south of the possible pit house where up to 25 cm of cultural deposit (bone

flecks, charcoal, burnt bone and mottled ash) suggest potential deposit. The

area around both the long rectangular possible hall structures in the NW and NE

complexes were also heavily covered with thufur hummoc (up to 50 -75 cm

deep) which will have severely disrupted any archaeological stratigraphy in these

areas. However, conditions were different around the W complex (a potential pit

house, long hall, and several apparent outbuildings) and what may be a

substantial intact cultural deposit extends downslope west) of the hall ruin. This

area produced 25-30 cm of cultural deposit, including burnt bone, charcoal, ash,

and some apparent stratification.

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