Medieval children’s graves excavated in North Iceland

Two children’s graves were discovered during an excavation at an ancient burial site by Hofsstaðir in the Mývatn rural area, northeast Iceland, this summer. Archaeologists believe the discovery supports the notion that those who died without having been baptized were buried outside cemeteries. 

The ancient burial site by Hofsstaðir, northeast Iceland [Credit: Bernhild Vögel]

Archaeological research of the Hofsstaðir burial site has taken place with intermission for the past 14 years. The site is believed to date back to the latter part of the tenth century. So far, archaeologists have unearthed 177 skeletons and two churches, ruv.is reports. 

This summer archaeologists have focused on the cemetery wall and the area outside it. The project is far from finished; there are plans to excavate the entire burial site to obtain an integral bone collection from the Middle Ages and other information on burial ceremonies and churches from that time. 

“I would guess that we have excavated more than half of the cemetery but we have to enlarge the area both to the south and west in the coming years to uncover all of it,” said archaeologist Oddgeir Ísaksen.  

Source: Iceland Review [August 20, 2012]