House of religion

Skriðuklaustur was an Augustinian monastery 1493-1554. Excavations commenced in 2002 and are continuing.
The monastery extended over an area of about 1300 m². The buildings and the monastic activities were in accord with international custom.
The monastery building was a two-storey-structure, comprising the church, monastery buildings and a cloister garden with a well.

Pastoral care in the community

The monks appear to have administered both medicines and surgical treatment. Various medical instruments have been unearthed, such as fleams (lancets), scissors and needles.Pollen analysis indicates that medicinal plants were cultivated.

Bones tell their tale

Almost all the skeletons unearthed from the monastery graveyard bear signs of disease or injury. These include infectious diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis, tapeworm infestation and pneumonia, all of which were endemic in Europe at that time. Injuries such as bone fractures are also seen, as are signs of physical handicap.

The excavations yielded many finds. Home-made articles include utensils for cooking and lighting, as well as recreational objects such as a chessman and dice. Imported goods include a variety of pottery, an abbey token, a gold ring, rosary beads, hymnals and statues, as well as the medical implements mentioned before, and three species of medicinal plant.