Which historical sources describe the settlement of Iceland?

The settlement of Iceland is primarily documented through two foundational 12th-century works written by Icelandic historians.12

• Íslendingabók (The Book of the Icelanders): Written by Ari Thorgilsson the Learned around 1130, this is the oldest source describing the settlement period, which it dates to approximately 870–930 CE.12
• Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements): Also attributed in part to Ari Thorgilsson, this work provides a detailed genealogical record of nearly 400 original settlers. It describes their origins—mostly Norwegian—as well as their specific land claims, spouses, and descendants.321

While these texts were written roughly 250 years after the events they describe, their accounts are supported by archaeological evidence, such as volcanic tephra layers and Norse artifacts, which confirm the late 9th-century timeline. Additionally, the Icelanders' sagas offer further narrative insight into the lives of early families, though their strict historical accuracy remains a subject of scholarly debate.124