VSF 2010 Report - Nabo

EVALUATION TRENCHES EXCAVATED AT VATNSFJÖRÐUR
Dawn Elise Mooney
University of Aberdeen, Fornleifastofnun Íslands
Introduction
During the 2010 excavation season, six evaluation trenches (Trenches 36-40) were
excavated in order to determine the possible location of further Viking Age and Medieval
structures, and to determine the date of several known structures and features. In each of
the trenches, the overlying topsoil and aeolian sediments were removed to expose the upper
surface of underlying archaeological deposits. The archaeological deposits observed were
photographed, drawn and described, but were not excavated unless they were deemed to be
potentially overlying archaeological deposits of greater significance. The locations of these
eight trenches are shown on the map below (see Figure 1).
Descriptions of Evaluation Trenches
Trench 36
A low mound to the south of the smithy (Structure 3) was identified by Oscar Aldred as a
potentially productive location for Viking Age ruins. A 1 x 2 m evaluation trench was
excavated by the author to determine the presence or absence of Viking Age occupation
deposits at this location (see map Figure 1). The test trench was positioned towards the
south-eastern side of this mound, where the slope seemed steepest and most likely to
represent the wall of a structure. At the northern edge of the trench, below the aeolian soil
and the Hekla 1693 tephra, a thin charcoal spread [10034] was identified within reddishbrown
soil, also containing fragments of calcined bone. This layer was recorded and
excavated in order to assess the presence of any structural remains below. The deposit
proved to be rather ephemeral, at most 1 – 2 cm thick, and produced no finds. This layer
probably represents the spread of cultural material by trampling between the smithy and
other structures in the Viking Age area. Below this deposit, the aeolian soil continued
down to the natural podsol and beach gravel. On the southern side of the trench, the aeolian
soil bottomed out directly on to the natural beach gravel. The Hekla 1693 tephra was not
visible either during excavations or in the section at the edge of the trench, nor was the
podsolised old land surface present above the gravel. It was concluded that the mound
visible on the surface was a natural feature which had been eroded to the south by a stream,
thus accounting for both the steep edge of the southern side of the mound, and the absence
of both the natural podsol and the Hekla 1693 tephra in this area.
[10034] Firm mid to dark reddish brown silt with frequent charcoal patches and
occasional small natural gravels. 0.5 – 2 cm thick. Bioturbated by roots and
worms.
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