Floor formation processes and the interpretation of site activity areas: An ethnoarchaeological study of turf buildings at Thverá, northeast Iceland

► An ethnoarchaeological and geoarchaeological study of turf buildings in Iceland. ► Few activities resulted in accumulations of residues diagnostic of how space was used. ► Maintenance practices significantly impacted the composition and structure of floors. ► Soil micromorphology proved essential for understanding floor formation processes. ► Site activity area analyses must consider modes of arrival of artefacts and residues.