Ancient DNA May Rewrite Iceland's Earliest Settlement Story
Biochemical evidence indicates that Norse settlers arrived in Iceland nearly 70 years before the commonly accepted date in the 870s, challenging traditional historical narratives. Contrary to the belief that their arrival caused severe environmental damage, recent findings suggest a different story.
Rethinking the Settlement Timeline
Historical records placed the first human settlement of Iceland in the 870s. These early migrations have frequently been described as ecological disasters, driven by Norse settlers who cleared much of the island’s forests for fuel, building materials, and farmland. Today, only about 2% of Iceland remains forested.
New Archaeological and Genetic Insights
Archaeologists discovered an ancient wooden longhouse near Stöðvarfjörður fjord in eastern Iceland, dating to around AD 874. Beneath it lies an older structure, apparently a summer settlement from the 800s, which suggests earlier human activity. However, this finding is yet to be formally published in scientific literature.
Meanwhile, Eske Willerslev of the University of Copenhagen and his team analyzed environmental DNA (eDNA) from sediment cores taken at Lake Tjörnin in central Reykjavík—one of Iceland's oldest continuously inhabited sites. Their research aimed to identify which species were present when the earliest settlers arrived.
Environmental Impact Under Scrutiny
"Forest cover now accounts for just 2 per cent of the country, but the arrival of Norse may not have been the environmental disaster it is often portrayed as."
This new evidence may reshape understanding of how the Norse settlers interacted with Iceland's environment, suggesting a more nuanced impact than previously assumed.
Author's summary: Recent DNA analysis and archaeological finds suggest Norse settlers reached Iceland earlier than thought and challenge the view that their arrival devastated the island's forests.
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