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.
Ph.D. Ann Sølvia Selmarsdóttir Purkhús
