Midden Investigations at Saltvík N Iceland, August 2003 (field report)

This report presents the results of a first stage investigation of
possible midden deposits at the site of Saltvík near Husavik in N Iceland carried
out August 12
th
2003. An Oakfield tube-type soil corer was used to probe
possible midden deposits around five structures associated with what appears to
be three concentration of structures (NW, W, and NE) on the hillside and stream
gullies to the S of the modern farm and horse stable area of Saltvík. These
structural complexes are on either side of the two pre-christian burials higher up
on the hillside. The site survey data, measured plans all excavation data for
the structures and burials was collected by FSl (Archaeological Institute Iceland)
teams and is reported separately. Coring around the NW and NE structural
complexes indicated fairly thin and discontinuous deposits, except directly to the
south of the possible pit house where up to 25 cm of cultural deposit (bone
flecks, charcoal, burnt bone and mottled ash) suggest potential deposit. The
area around both the long rectangular possible hall structures in the NW and NE
complexes were also heavily covered with thufur hummoc (up to 50 -75 cm
deep) which will have severely disrupted any archaeological stratigraphy in these
areas. However, conditions were different around the W complex (a potential pit
house, long hall, and several apparent outbuildings) and what may be a
substantial intact cultural deposit extends downslope west) of the hall ruin. This
area produced 25-30 cm of cultural deposit, including burnt bone, charcoal, ash,
and some apparent stratification.