Þingvellir and ancient assembly sites

Archaeological research at Þingvellir

In 2002?4 excavations took place at Þingvellir, site of the Alþingi (parliament) down the ages. Well‐preserved traces of buildings were
uncovered on Biskupshólar (Bishops’ Hillocks). Some were of great age, dating back to the early days of the Alþingi in the 10th century.
The function of the structures is not clear, but they may have been semi‐permanent shelters (booths) inhabited during the summer
assembly.

Study of spring assembly sites

The spring assembly sites at Þingeyrar and Krakalækur were examined, and on Þingey (Assembly Island) in the Skjálfandi river
excavations were made of a site believed to be an old booth or semipermanent shelter, and also of earthworks enclosing the
assembly site. The booth site revealed a turf structure which predates a layer of tephra (volcanic ash) deposited in 1300. A number of
postholes were uncovered, but no floor layer, bones or other objects.