Viking Age ruins exhibit opens in Reykjavik

Last weekend saw the opening of the new Reykjavik 871 +/- 2 Settlement Exhibition, which coincided with the opening of the Reykjavik Arts Festival.

The Settlement Exhibition focuses around a Viking Age longhouse, dated to around 930 AD, was found during archaeological excavations in the centre of Reykjavík in 2001. The ruins of the longhouse and part of a man made structure – a turf wall, have been preserved and are now on display at the exhibition.

These are the oldest archaeological findings in Reykjavik and Iceland. Also on display are objects from the Viking Age, found in central Reykjavík and on the island of Videy.

If you're wondering where the title "Reykjavik 871+/- 2" comes from, it is actually the dating of the “settlement layer” of volcanic ash, formed in an eruption in 871 +/- 2 years.

If you're in Reykjavik it's worth checking the exhibit out and multimedia techniques allow guests to find out about the life of the people who lived there and see a model of the long house. Opening hours are from 10am to 5pm daily.

Click here to visit the exhibition website

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.