Old centre for sulphur and falcon trade
Medieval Market at Gásir
18/7 - 20/7 2009
11 km from Akureyri
Homepage
www.gasir.is
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Gásir is a major historical site. In medieval times it was the most important trading centre and harbour in north Iceland for centuries. It was visited by merchants from the time of settlement until the sixteenth century and often they purchased such expensive commodities as sulphur and falcons. However, Gásir was also a centre for handicrafts, sulphur purification and metalwork in iron and copper. An archaeological excavation, which has been in progress since 2001, has also uncovered one of the largest hoards of medieval pottery fragments ever found in Iceland. More detailed information about Gásir, along with relics from the excavation, is presented at the exhibition Eyjafjörður from Early Times at Akureyri Museum. There are plans to recreate part of the old Gásir trading centre as a living medieval educational and open leisure centre, based on its mercantile history, archaeology, nature and bird life.
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