In Iceland, archaeologists have made a significant discovery, uncovering the oldest known drawing in the country. This ancient artwork takes the form of "Viking graffiti" and portrays a partially sketched boat.
Bjarni F. Einarsson, an archaeologist and manager at Fornleifafræðistofan (The Archaeological Office), and the leader of the excavation project, revealed that the graffiti was found within the remains of a longhouse. Engraved on a reddish clay stone measuring 1 inch wide (2.5 centimeters), the drawing is estimated to originate from the period shortly after A.D. 800.
A general view of the Viking Ship of HISTORY'S "Vikings" during the Viking Funeral Ceremony at San Diego Comic Con 2017 on July 21, 2017 in San Diego, California.
Viking Graffiti Are Usually 'Poorly Done'
The depiction of the boat in the Viking graffiti is incomplete, which aligns with the typical style of such artwork. Einarsson told Live Science that the carving exhibits a sail with vertical lines, a rope connecting the sail to the front of the ship, and a partially drawn hull.
It is common for the hulls of the ships in this form of graffiti to be left unfinished. The discovery provides valuable insights into the artistic expressions and cultural practices of the Viking era in Iceland.
Viking ship graffiti, commonly depicting both single boats and fleets, can be found across Scandinavia on various materials such as bone, stone, and timber. These carvings, although poorly executed, remain a mystery as to why they were created, says Einarsson. These crude artworks provide valuable cultural insights into the Viking Age.
Through radiocarbon and tephra dating, it was determined that the Viking hall underwent three phases of construction: before A.D. 800, shortly after 800, and in the latter half of the 800s.
These dates correspond to the known arrival periods of Vikings in Iceland, as documented in the "Book of Settlement," written in the 12th century. While archaeological evidence suggests earlier arrivals, the exact date of the first settlement remains uncertain.
Artifacts discovered from the later half of the ninth century, including lead weights, hack silver, and traces of gold, indicate a trading presence among the Vikings who inhabited the hall. The length of the hall, combined with the valuable artifacts found, suggests that it likely belonged to a wealthy chieftain.
Einarsson described it as the "richest hall" from the Viking Age in Iceland, suggesting that it would have housed a diverse range of people, including families, individuals from different social classes, and even slaves.
Two Longhouses Built in Two Different Timelines
According to the Viking Herald, the region surrounding a former Viking site has been extensively studied by archaeologists, leading to the discovery of a second longhouse that predates the settlement of Iceland in the ninth century.
Initially believed to be a temporary camp for hunting and fishing rather than a permanent settlement, this area is now occupied by the modern village of Stöðvarfjörður on the fjord's northern shore.
While the larger longhouses have yielded valuable artifacts such as silver, beads, and coins originating from Rome and the Middle East, a recent excavation has revealed the presence of an even older settlement beneath the previously explored one.
Within the walls of a smaller longhouse, archaeologists found a pebble that has been dated back to the year 800, several decades before the assumed arrival of the Norsemen in Iceland in the 870s. This finding represents the first tangible evidence predating the established belief of Norse settlement in Iceland.
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