Hafnir, located in the south-western region in Reykjanesbaer, about 54 km from Reykjavik is home to one of the oldest archeological evidence of the Settlement Period in Iceland. Situated close to Njardvik and Keflavik, a dilapidated cabin said to have been abandoned between 770 and 880 AD throws enough light to provide vital information of life as it existed in these parts during the early days of settlement.
Hafnir, located in the south-western region in Reykjanesbaer, about 54 km from Reykjavik is home to one of the oldest archeological evidence of the Settlement Period in Iceland. Situated close to Njardvik and Keflavik, a dilapidated cabin said to have been abandoned between 770 and 880 AD throws enough light to provide vital information of life as it existed in these parts during the early days of settlement.
Archeologists excavating the area believe that the settlement, which predates the permanent settlement of Ingolfur Arnarsson, Iceland’s first settler, may have been temporary and could have been used on a seasonal basis. This was to facilitate fishing, ivory collection from walrus tusks and whale teeth, hunting seals and birds, besides egg collection, which is why archeologists did not find any shed for domesticated farm animals, which further fortified their theory. Hafnir, which derives its name from two now-abandoned farms Sandhöfn and Kirkjuhöfn, was a rather busy fishing village up until about 120 years ago. The village with the second-most land in the Reykjanes peninsula is also the site where one can see the remains of ‘Jamestown’, an American ship that ran aground off Hafnir in 1881 with no one aboard.
The ill-fated ship’s anchor has been displayed outside the village church. Hafnir also boasts of an unusual bank, the ‘Halibut Bank’ where halibuts are gathered and raised to be exported. Other attractions in the vicinity, including The Bridge between Continents, Keflaik, Stekkjarkot, The Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll, Duus Museum, Giantess Cave, Holmesburg Lighthouse etc.
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