Archeological research west of Ásbyrgi in Kelduhverfi in northeast Iceland, undertaken because of a planned road to Dettifoss waterfall, has been completed and the most noticeable find was a ringed silver brooch from the Viking era.

Dettifoss. The archeological research was undertaken because of the planned construction of a road that will lead to the waterfall. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.

The items unearthed are part of an ancient settlement, of which not much is known because it isn’t mentioned in any written sources. The area was added to the archeological registry in 2007, Morgunbladid reports.

The remains that were researched are two adjacent houses in the shape of an L. One of the houses appears to have been inhabited by humans and the other used for animals; it was probably a cowshed.

In addition to the brooch, three knives, a sharpener and some nails were excavated during the research. Traces of slag and scoria were also found, which indicates ironwork. A bone comb with a pattern engraved in it was discovered outside the houses.