Rare 13th-century artifact found in Árbær

Archaeologists in Árbær, Iceland, have unearthed a rare stone cross dating back to the 13th century, a find that could push back the known history of settlement in the area. The artifact was discovered in soil layers estimated to be between 500 and 700 years old, during excavations at a historical farmstead site.

Sólrún Inga Traustadóttir, an archaeologist involved in the research, stated that while written records of Árbær date back to the mid-15th century, various indicators suggest the cross originates from an even older period. "We know that people were in Árbær very early after the settlement, probably around the 10th century," she explained, noting that the cross was found in soil layers between the 13th and 15th centuries.

The cross, carved from local basalt, is considered a significant find as similar artifacts are seldom discovered in Iceland. A comparable, though less intact, cross was previously found at Þórarinsstaðir in Seyðisfjörður. Traustadóttir believes the Árbær cross was likely crafted by the early inhabitants of the farm, possibly among the first settlers in the area.

Researchers are also exploring the possibility that the cross may point to the existence of an ancient church or prayer site in Árbær, as no written records mention such a structure from that early period. The ongoing excavation at the farmstead promises further insights as archaeologists continue to dig, hoping to uncover more historical clues buried beneath the soil.

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We know that people were in Árbær very early after the landnám, probably around the 10th century but the stone cross was found in soil layers that are between the 13th and 15th centuries.