Settlement in the Faroe Islands
During
the Viking Age (AD 800–1050) in Scandinavia, the Vikings set sail
towards 18 remote islands in the Atlantic Ocean: the Faroe Islands.
Archaeological
investigations in the Faroe Islands indicate that the first Norse
settlement began in the 8th century, and by the 9th century, permanent
settlements had been established across the islands. Analyses of barley
grains suggest that human activity on the Faroes predates this period.
By dating burnt barley grains found beneath a Viking-age house in the
village of Sandur, we can confirm activity in the 4th and 6th centuries
as well as in the 6th and 8th centuries. However, the dating cannot
determine the extent of this activity, or the origins of the people
involved.
Findings from archaeological
excavations show that Viking-age settlers in the Faroe Islands built
large farms with longhouses, outbuildings, and stone enclosures along
fjords and straits. The farms were located near the sea, making it easy
to pull boats ashore for fishing and travel between islands and to other
lands. In addition to being close to the sea, access to freshwater was
also crucial for both household use and livestock. This is evident in
Viking settlements such as Niðri á Toft in Kvívík and Toftanes in Leirvík, where both farms are positioned near the shore and a stream.
A
variety of artefacts have been uncovered, shedding light on daily life
in these settlements. For instance, soapstone vessels, spindle whorls,
animal bones near fireplaces, sharpening stones for knives, and
decorative beads have been found, indicating activities such as wool
working and food preparation. Other intriguing discoveries include
children’s toys. At Niðri á Toft in Kvívík, wooden toy horses and
boats have been found, reflecting the real-life activities of their
parents, who rode horses and sailed boats. Alongside children's toys,
game pieces and board games have also been unearthed.
At the Viking-age farm at Toftanes in Leirvík, a chessboard with two carved game boards has been discovered. One side features a board for the Viking game hneftafl (a
strategy game similar to chess), while the other side displays a board
for the game Nine Men’s Morris. These finds suggest that people in the
Viking Age also engaged in leisure activities. Other excavations and
finds provide insight into religious practices of the period.
In Tjørnuvík, Yviri í Trøð,
Viking graves have been discovered, with burials oriented in different
directions. Some of the deceased were buried with objects, including a
young woman who was laid to rest with a dress pin—a long needle used to
fasten clothing. These pins provide the earliest evidence of settlement
in the Faroe Islands during the Viking Age.
At Toftanes in Leirvík, a well-preserved wooden crucifix has been found. Meanwhile, excavations at Yviri í Trøð have
revealed evidence of Norse paganism (pre-Christian beliefs), while the
crucifix at Toftanes symbolizes Christianity. This suggests that both
Norse paganism and Christianity were practiced simultaneously during the
Viking Age. Through archaeological excavations and discoveries, we gain
insights into what was significant for both children and adults in
Viking society. These artefacts, along with the objects depicted on the
stamps, can be seen in the exhibition halls of the National Museum of
the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn.
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