Archaeologists discover potential medieval seal during excavations at Þingeyrar in Iceland
Archaeologists believe they may have discovered a lost knight’s seal from the medieval period at Þingeyrar, although it is more likely to be a label from continental Europe. The object, about the size of a coin, clearly features a coat of arms. Made of lead, it is estimated to date back to the years 1500 to 1700, with further research needed to determine its exact origin.
A medieval seal found during excavations at Þingeyrarklaustur has attracted the attention of archaeologists. Initial speculation suggested it might be one of the lost Icelandic knight seals from the medieval era. Þingeyrarklaustur, located in East Húnavatnssýsla, operated from 1133 to 1551, making it the longest-running monastery in Iceland. Excavations have been ongoing since 2018, with significant discoveries including the ruins of the monastery and an earlier church.
After only a few days of digging this summer, the interesting find emerged—a seal the size of a coin, adorned with a coat of arms. Experts initially hypothesized it could be a knight’s seal. Upon closer examination, however, it appears to be a production label likely from the Netherlands.
The artifact indicates that it was a label used for clothing production, analogous to modern clothing tags. It is speculated to be made of linen, hemp, or a similar fabric. This is particularly noteworthy because cloth imports at the time are deemed quite rare. Archaeologists are optimistic about uncovering more significant items this summer as excavations continue, and there is a tradition among the staff to hold celebrations when important artifacts are discovered. With the seal’s finding, they deemed it appropriate to host a gathering with cake.