Before I left Iceland, I made this powerpoint presentation to show some of the things that I learnt during my time there. Well, I thought I'd share some of it with you guys too, so here ya go :)
According to both Landnámabók and Íslendingabók, Celtic monks known as the Papar lived in Iceland before the Norse settlers arrived. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed the ruins of a cabin in Hafnir on the Reykjanes peninsula, and carbon dating indicates that it was abandoned somewhere between 770 and 880, suggesting that Iceland was populated well before 874. This archaeological find may also indicate that the monks left Iceland before the Norse arrived.
The first known permanent Norse settler was Ingólfr Arnarson, who built his homestead in present-day Reykjavík in the year 874. Ingólfr was followed by many other emigrant settlers, largely Norsemen and their thralls, many of whom were Irish or Scottish. By 930, most rich and cultivable land had been claimed and the Althing, a legislative and judiciary parliament, was initiated to regulate the Icelandic Commonwealth. Christianity was adopted around 999–1000, although Norse paganism persisted among some segments of the population for several years.
The Commonwealth lasted until the 13th century, when the political system was proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains.
During these early Celtic and Viking settlements, the climate was significantly warmer and about 25% of Iceland was covered with forest compared to 1% now.
The first known permanent Norse settler was Ingólfr Arnarson, who built his homestead in present-day Reykjavík in the year 874. Ingólfr was followed by many other emigrant settlers, largely Norsemen and their thralls, many of whom were Irish or Scottish. By 930, most rich and cultivable land had been claimed and the Althing, a legislative and judiciary parliament, was initiated to regulate the Icelandic Commonwealth. Christianity was adopted around 999–1000, although Norse paganism persisted among some segments of the population for several years.
The Commonwealth lasted until the 13th century, when the political system was proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains.
During these early Celtic and Viking settlements, the climate was significantly warmer and about 25% of Iceland was covered with forest compared to 1% now.
Ingólfr Arnarson is known as the first settler of Iceland. He was fleeting to Iceland because he got into a blood feud with a powerful Norse king of the time. When he first saw land, he threw his high seat pillars – two wooden pillars, carved with images of the Nordic gods, which stood on either side of his high seat at the table – into the ocean and promised the gods he´d settle wherever they washed ashore. Ingólfr sent two of his slaves, who finally found them, after three years of searching, in Reykjavik. Arnarson named his new settlement area Reykjavik, which means Smoky Bay in Icelandic, because of the steam coming from the shooting water spouts, which looked like smoke.
Sykur is a sensational young electro four-piece – with Agnes Björt Andradóttir, Stefán Finnbogason, Halldór Eldjárn, and Kristján Eldjárn – from Reykjavik, Iceland. Mesopotamia, released in Iceland on 12th October 2011, sees the band develop their much-loved electro sound; Mesopotamia is the soundtrack of lost weekends and fun times. The first single from the album, Shed Those Tears, has gained them international recognition.
Sigur Rós – made up of the four musicians, Jón þór Birgisson, Kjartan Sveinsson, Georg Hólm, and Orri Páll Dýrason – is an Icelandic post-rock band with melodic, classical, experimental, and minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound and lead singer Jónsi’s falsetto voice. Sigur Rós means Victory Rose, named after Jonsi's little sister.
Singer-songwriter Ásgeir Trausti is only 20 years old but is already releasing his first album after making a breakthrough this summer with his first single, Sumargestur. A classically trained guitarist, Ásgeir Trausti is one of the most promising young musicians to arrive on the Icelandic music scene recently. His music can be described as a fascinating mix of folk and electronic music where his beautiful and high voice and vocal harmony play a key part.
Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs. But last year, the six pack transformed into total rock stars after stomping out their competition during Músiktilraunir, a yearly battle of the bands in Iceland. The six members of the band are Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson, and Árni Guðjónsson. Little Talks is their most popular song.
Sigur Rós – made up of the four musicians, Jón þór Birgisson, Kjartan Sveinsson, Georg Hólm, and Orri Páll Dýrason – is an Icelandic post-rock band with melodic, classical, experimental, and minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound and lead singer Jónsi’s falsetto voice. Sigur Rós means Victory Rose, named after Jonsi's little sister.
Singer-songwriter Ásgeir Trausti is only 20 years old but is already releasing his first album after making a breakthrough this summer with his first single, Sumargestur. A classically trained guitarist, Ásgeir Trausti is one of the most promising young musicians to arrive on the Icelandic music scene recently. His music can be described as a fascinating mix of folk and electronic music where his beautiful and high voice and vocal harmony play a key part.
Of Monsters and Men is an amiable group of day dreamers who craft folkie pop songs. But last year, the six pack transformed into total rock stars after stomping out their competition during Músiktilraunir, a yearly battle of the bands in Iceland. The six members of the band are Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, Ragnar þórhallsson, Brynjar Leifsson, Arnar Rósenkranz Hilmarsson, Kristján Páll Kristjánsson, and Árni Guðjónsson. Little Talks is their most popular song.