VSF 2010 Report - Nabo

Vatnsfjarðasel
Vatnsfarðasel is located deep in the valley between two lakes named Neðra-Selvatn and
Fremra-Selvatn more than 10 km west of the main farm of Vatnsfjörður (Figure 1). A lot of
modern material like wood stakes, nails, wooden structures laid around the different
unidentified structures. Coring was undertaken in order to identify the location of a midden
that could be attributed to the occupation of the main turf house when contemporaneous to
early modern Vatnsfjörður farm but also to figure the possibility of further archaeological
research and field work. Coring evaluation took place east-northeast of the main turf
structure by two members of the field school staff.
Brief historical background of Vatnsfjarðasel and previous archaeological work
The shieling of Vatnsfjarðasel is thought of having been owned by the main farm of
Vatnsfjörður from the Middle Ages to early modern times. It is possible that the shieling
was transformed in an independent farm during that period. The Jarðabók doesn’t mention
Vatnsfarðasel as owned by Vatnsfjörður but the authors note the possibility of having the
sheep usually raised on Borgarey’s island (a rented farm of Vatnsfjörður) grazing on the
main land when water lacks on the island or when there is bad weather (Jarðabók: 214-
215). It is also noted that eggs from Great-Backed gull and Black-backed gull are collected
in Neðra-Staðarvatn which could have been the ancient name of today’s Neðra-Selvatn. No
archaeological work has been done at the shieling except landscape surveys done by Oscar
Aldred from 2005 to 2007 and also by Ásta Hermannsdóttir in summer 2010.
Coring methodology
Since the location of the midden was not known, landscape around the farm was surveyed
in order to identify its possible situation. Two little mounds were identify as eventual
locations of a midden feature, both close to the edge of a slope and to the main structure
(figure 4). A total of four (4) coring transects were done, two on each feature, and with a 5
meters distance between each core. Results are presented in figure 4 (next page) and the
core register is annexed to this assessment.
Vatnsfjarðasel Results
Vatnsfjarðasel area is rich in landscape features and ruins. The size of the buildings,
enclosure and potential productivity of grassland seem to show that it was a more
important farm than Hálshús. The search for a comparable midden to those of Vatnsfjörður
has been more than promising. One feature has been identified as corresponding to a
possible midden northeast of the main structure as shown by the stratified sequence of peat
ash and charcoal deposits. A coring test was done inside the main building as it seems that
midden deposits are frequenly discovered underneath or inside structure. The test showed
peat ash and charcoal deposits in one of the rooms where the test was done.
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