According to current archaeological findings, recesses in the walls – comparable to our windows today, though naturally without glass panes – were rare. For one simple reason: the wind blew in and the heat out. This may be the origin of the Old Norse term ‘wind eye’ (vindauga), which is still found in the English word ‘window’. At any rate, openings fitted with sliding shutters made of planks provided some light inside and were also practical for disposing of waste.