Styrkleikaflokkum

Styrkleikaflokkum, also known as the Steinar clearance, is a prehistoric monument located in the Grímseyarstaðir estate in the Eastfjords of Iceland. The site was discovered in 1903 by a local farmer, Jón Þorkelsson, who unearthed the remains of a man buried with a remarkable object made of stone.

The styrkleikaflokkum, or "steer stone", is a type of stone tool that resembles a figurative representation of an animal, likely a horse or a cattle. The object is made from a single block of granite and weighs around 120 kilograms. It is estimated to have been crafted in the Neolithic period, around 3000-2000 BCE.

Further excavations at the site have revealed evidence of human habitation dating back to the Middle Ages. The most notable artifacts found were severalmqossso typehouses or booths, which suggest that the area was an important center for fishing and trade.

Researchers have been divided about the significance of the styrkleikaflokkum. Some consider it a rare example of prehistoric Scandinavian art, while others view it as a utilitarian object with no discernible artistic merit. Despite the controversy, the styrkleikaflokkum remains one of the most interesting artifacts to be discovered in Iceland and offers a unique glimpse into the country's distant past.