The Universities of Iceland and Hólar are accepting applications to The Archaeological Field School at Hofstaðir, organised in collaboration with The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland. The school, which will run from July 14th to August 8th, 2025, will provide students with hands-on instruction and experience in Icelandic archaeology, various field techniques, and post-excavation processes. It also aims to encourage students to develop interests in North Atlantic archaeology, heritage management and how archaeological heritage may be utilised as tourist attractions. Furthermore, it aspires to promote and facilitate research in Iceland by helping students make contacts with relevant researchers and providing advice about potential research projects.

Admission

Applications are welcomed from postgraduate students and advanced under-graduate students (who have completed at least 90 ECTS). Applicants need to have some prior training in archaeology, anthropology and/or cultural history. Preference will be given to students with research interests in the North Atlantic region. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts and ranked based on education, experience and research interests/objectives.

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Accreditation

The field school is a 10 ECTS accredited course at the University of Iceland or the University of Hólar.

The site

Hofstaðir is located in Mývatn district in northern Iceland. The Mývatn area has seen extensive archaeological work in the past 30 years, with Hofstaðir as its focal point. Archaeological excavation at the site started in the early 20th century by Daniel Bruun and between 1996-2020 the Institute of Archaeology in Iceland completed the excavation of a Viking Age feasting hall as well as a Medieval church and cemetery within the homefield. Also located within the homefield is a second Viking Age settlement site as well as farm-mound dating to between the late 10th – mid 20th century.

The current work on the site involves an open area excavation on a midden associated with the farm-mound as well as prospecting (field surveying, coring and text trenching) on an outfield-site associated with the farm, in order to date and determine the nature of the archaeology in order to plan future work at Hofstaðir.

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Organisation

Students will be housed and fed in the farmhouse at Hofstaðir. Working hours can be expected to be between 8:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday, both on site as well as doing post-excavation work. Guest lectures or demonstrations by various specialists in North Atlantic archaeology, heritage management and heritage tourism will take place in the evenings or at weekends. Excursions to local sites of interest will be arranged on the weekends.

Costs

The school is subsidised, but students are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their room and board for the duration of the field school - €1000. Students will have to pay for their own transportation to and from Reykjavík, but transport will be arranged between Reykjavík and Hofstaðir.  

Application deadline March 17th 2025.

Applications and further enquiries should be sent to vettvangsakademia@hi.is. Include an outline of your academic interests, records of your education and previous field-work experience and one letter of recommendation.