Gufuskálar, under the Snæfellsjökull glacier, is a farm with a history that spans back to the early settlement of Iceland. During the 1400s it was an important dried fish production site but now it is, sadly, eroding into the sea. Archaeologists from the City University of New York (CUNY) and Fornleifastofnun Íslands (FSÍ) have spent the last few summers excavating along the most endangered part of the coast. We have uncovered one of the fishing booths that the fishermen would have stayed in while fishing during the early winter months. After processing and drying these fish were bought by continental European merchants who sold them all throughout Europe.
The site has three main elements which are worth visiting. First. in the south is the Írskibrunnur or Irish Well. The name is a bit of mystery. Some speculate that Irish slaves inhabited the site but it is likely that "Irish" might be synonymous with "West" for the Norse settlers of Iceland.
Second, on the far north of the site is the Gufuskálavör or Gufuskálar Boat Landing. Here you can still see the grooves worn into the rock by boats being pulled up on shore. This boat landing was particularly dangerous and difficult and it's likely that many people lost their lives trying to get back to shore here.
Finally there is the fishing station itself smack, dab in between the other two. As I mentioned earlier, we’ve spent the last few summers excavating here and as of June 30, 2014 when the excavations were completed for this field season, we’ve almost finished with one of the structures.
The cache is a simple, traditional cache in a duct-taped plastic container. You will not need climb to find the cache but if you do climb up please take caution as the rocks can be slippery. It also seems that finding the cache can be difficult in inclement weather, so be patient and wear the correct gear!
Note: This is an archaeological site so please do not destroy any of the remaining archaeology. We ask that you do not climb on the exposed stone walls of the fishing booth as they are delicate.
Enjoy the site! Make sure to look out at the water for orcas and seals!