Excavation at Skagafjörður in North West Iceland, concentrated this year on Keflavík in Hegranes, revealed the remains of a Medieval church and about 45 graves in a circle formed churchyard, with a number of skeletons in various conditions of decay. The churchyard was used from 1000 to after 1104 – from the time when Iceland converted to Christianity to the year the volcano Hekla erupted.
Among the small finds are a bone pin with an animal head and a silver coin. Another such pin has been found at Keldurdalur, another nearby site in Skagafjörður.
The site of Keldudalur is in many ways unique for the study of an 11th century Icelandic household composition and social transition. The cemetery is, to date, the most complete 11th century cemetery excavated in Iceland and the good preservation of the skeletons makes it an important reference material.
(after Iceland Review Online)