About the Field Academy
The Field Academy at Hofstaðir, Mývatnssveit
The Field Academy at Hofstaðir is an interdisciplinary research and education center focused on archaeology and cultural heritage. Built on a rich legacy of archaeological work at Hofstaðir, the academy operates as a non-profit foundation with an approved charter.
A Unique Archaeological Site
Hofstaðir in Mývatnssveit is one of Iceland’s most significant archaeological sites, with continuous evidence of human settlement since the Viking Age. Excavations dating back to the 19th century have revealed over 1,100 years of interaction between people and nature. In the 10th century, a large feasting hall was constructed here—the largest building so far excavated in Iceland, comparable in size to the grandest halls in Scandinavia at the time. Other discoveries include a late Viking Age church, cemetery, and numerous settlement sites and outstations in the surrounding area.
Establishment and Mission
In 2024, the University of Iceland, Hólar University, and the Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland received a grant from the Universities’ Collaboration Fund to establish a research and education center at Hofstaðir. Additional government funding was allocated in 2025. The Field Academy is now being developed as a hub for:
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Field-based research and education in Icelandic archaeology and heritage conservation
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Practical training for students and professionals
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Applied research supporting cultural heritage tourism
Core Focus Areas
- Training and Education
- High-Quality Scientific Research
- Innovative Solutions for Heritage Tourism
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Training and Education
Field training in archaeology—focused on excavation methodology and practical research—is essential for educating capable scientists and maintaining professional standards in the field. The engaging, hands-on program offered at Hofstaðir attracts promising students from around the world, many of whom go on to become leading researchers in North Atlantic archaeology. The field school plays a vital role in preparing students for advanced study at the University of Iceland and beyond. With extensive experience in organizing such programs, there is strong potential to expand the course offerings to include tailored training for university students, early-career researchers, younger learners, and the general public.
Scientific Research
Since 1991, Hofstaðir has been the site of extensive archaeological excavations, revealing finds unique in the Icelandic context. As a key site for Viking Age archaeology, Hofstaðir has become a center of knowledge on topics such as settlement, social development, pagan belief systems and the Christian conversion, human–environment interactions, and medieval society. Much remains unexplored, both at the main farmstead and in the surrounding landscape. Major new excavations are in development with three primary aims:
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To generate new knowledge and encourage scholarly dialogue
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To lead the way in scientific quality and set a national benchmark for field research in Iceland
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To serve as a destination in its own right and support the educational mission of the Field Academy
Cultural Heritage Tourism
Iceland has seen many remarkable archaeological discoveries in recent decades, yet few have been successfully integrated into the tourism experience. There is a lack of knowledge, tools, and infrastructure to present heritage sites in ways that are both engaging and sustainable. The challenge is especially pressing in regard to sensitive turf-built sites, where visitor impact must be managed carefully. Hofstaðir—with its impressive remains and strong visitor appeal—offers an ideal setting for developing innovative solutions that can be adapted to other heritage locations across the country. Research and experimentation in this area are essential for building capacity and unlocking the economic potential of Iceland’s cultural heritage.
Read More
Training and Education
Field training in archaeology—focused on excavation methodology and practical research—is essential for educating capable scientists and maintaining professional standards in the field. The engaging, hands-on program offered at Hofstaðir attracts promising students from around the world, many of whom go on to become leading researchers in North Atlantic archaeology. The field school plays a vital role in preparing students for advanced study at the University of Iceland and beyond. With extensive experience in organizing such programs, there is strong potential to expand the course offerings to include tailored training for university students, early-career researchers, younger learners, and the general public.
Scientific Research
Since 1991, Hofstaðir has been the site of extensive archaeological excavations, revealing finds unique in the Icelandic context. As a key site for Viking Age archaeology, Hofstaðir has become a center of knowledge on topics such as settlement, social development, pagan belief systems and the Christian conversion, human–environment interactions, and medieval society. Much remains unexplored, both at the main farmstead and in the surrounding landscape. Major new excavations are in development with three primary aims:
-
To generate new knowledge and encourage scholarly dialogue
-
To lead the way in scientific quality and set a national benchmark for field research in Iceland
-
To serve as a destination in its own right and support the educational mission of the Field Academy
Cultural Heritage Tourism
Iceland has seen many remarkable archaeological discoveries in recent decades, yet few have been successfully integrated into the tourism experience. There is a lack of knowledge, tools, and infrastructure to present heritage sites in ways that are both engaging and sustainable. The challenge is especially pressing in regard to sensitive turf-built sites, where visitor impact must be managed carefully. Hofstaðir—with its impressive remains and strong visitor appeal—offers an ideal setting for developing innovative solutions that can be adapted to other heritage locations across the country. Research and experimentation in this area are essential for building capacity and unlocking the economic potential of Iceland’s cultural heritage.
Site of Chapel and Churchyard
Modern farmhouse
Modern Sheephouse
Feasting Hall
Field Boundary
Overview Image of Hofstaðir
This aerial view shows the current buildings and visible archaeological remains at Hofstaðir.
Hover over the image to explore the different structures.
© The Institute of Archaeology, Iceland
All images on this website are the property of the Institute of Archaeology, Iceland © and are published with permission.
Text Credits
The website content (on cultural heritage and research) is adapted with permission from the National Museum of Iceland’s exhibition “Stories from the Earth: Hofstaðir in Mývatnssveit” (2020–2022). Text authors: Hildur Gestsdóttir, Guðrún Alda Gísladóttir, and Hrönn Konráðsdóttir.
The designers of the website are Helga Óskarsdóttir, web designer, and Björg Vilhjálmsdóttir, graphic designer. Björg also designed the academy’s logo, which is inspired by bull skulls that have been excavated at Hofstaðir. See here.