Viking Age farms: Estimating the number and population size. A case study from Vestvåg⊘y, North Norway

After a brief introduction to Scandinavian settlement archaeology, and that of North Norway in particular, a detailed analysis of the Viking Age settlement situation at the island of Vestvåg⊘y is undertaken. An attempt is made to arrive at quantitative figures for both farm number and population size. The methods, or rather the combination of methods, differ somewhat from what is normally met with. There is heavy reliance on the occurrence, of deserted farms and farmyards as well as on pollen‐analysis. A retrospective use of written records and later archaeological evidence is also employed. The results indicate a dense settlement in the Viking Age and a situation not much different from that of the 14th century and that of the 17th century. Finally the Viking Age chiefdom organization is briefly dealt with.