Establishing and Occupying: A Landscape Biography of Icelandic Shielings

Shielings (sel) in Iceland were key seasonal sites within the farm economy, primarily used during the summer months for grazing and resource exploitation. Traditionally linked to dairy production, archaeological evidence suggests their roles were more diverse, encompassing craftwork, hunting, woodland clearance, and even metalworking. This paper examines the biography of shielings within the Icelandic transhumance system of moving animals back and forth from the shieling and summer grazing areas, by focusing on a shieling associated with the farm Sakka, in northern Iceland. Utilising historical sources, archaeology, and environmental science, we explore the establishment, use, and abandonment of shielings in relation to broader socio-economic and environmental factors. The evidence suggests that shielings evolved through time, having a variety of impacts on the landscape. Additionally, the decline of transhumance practices appears to coincide with external pressures, such as the plague and shifts in land management strategies, that affected shieling use. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives, this study highlights the complex life-histories of shielings, challenging traditional narratives and demonstrating their dynamic role in Icelandic rural landscapes. Our findings underscore the importance of considering both material and environmental evidence to understand the long-term evolution of settlement and land use.