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Norse or Viking exploration is fairly well-known thanks in large part to a considerable amount of surviving primary sources. It is known that the The Vikings explored and established colonies as far west as North America and to the east in Russia. Modern scholars know this due to a plethora of written texts, which includes those written by the Norse as well as the many people they came into contact with in within Europe and the Middle East. Modern archaeological work has also helped uncover many of the mysteries of the Norse <i>sagas</i>, which were semi-historical stories about their kings, nobles, and various other heroes who were worthy in Viking eyes of being remembered for their great deeds. One particular mystery that was debated for decades was the claim in two of the sagas – <i>Erik’s Saga</i> and <i>The Greenland Saga</i> – that the Norse discovered and colonized North America, which they referred to as “Vinland” or “Vineland,” approximately 500 years before Columbus made his first voyage to the Caribbean. Many scholars believed the sagas were just boasts or good yarns, until a Viking Age settlement was discovered in 1960 in L’Anse aux Meadows at the tip of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Excavations at L’Anse aux Meadows throughout the 1960s confirmed One particular mystery that it was indeed a Viking settlement, giving credence to debated for decades was the claim in two of the sagas– <i>Erik’s Saga</i> and <i>The Greenland Saga</i> – that the Norse discovered and colonized North America, which are often they referred to collectively as “Vinland” or “Vineland,” approximately 500 years before Columbus made his first voyage to the “Vinland SagasCaribbean.” Although there is a consensus among Many scholars that believed the Vikings established sagas were just boasts or good yarns until a small colony briefly Viking Age settlement was discovered in North America 1960 in the early eleventh century, there is no consensus regarding the specific location of Vinland. Since it is not possible to grow wine producing vines in northern Newfoundland, many scholars believe that L’Anse aux Meadows was actually a staging point and that Vinland was farther to at the south. Based on a number tip of factors, primarily the flora and fauna, island of Newfoundland in the modern Canadian province of Nova Scotia is probably the best candidate for the location of the Viking VinlandNewfoundland and Labrador.

Excavations at L’Anse aux Meadows throughout the 1960s confirmed that it was indeed a Viking settlement, giving credence to the two sagas, which are often referred to collectively as the “Vinland Sagas.” Although there is a consensus among scholars that the Vikings established a small colony briefly in North America in the early eleventh century, there is no consensus regarding the specific location of Vinland. Since it is not possible to grow wine producing vines in northern Newfoundland, many scholars believe that L’Anse aux Meadows was a staging point and that Vinland was farther to the south. Based on some factors, primarily flora and fauna, the modern Canadian province of Nova Scotia is probably the best candidate for the location of the Viking Vinland. ====The Vikings and Exploration====

The Viking Age began in the late eight eighth century AD like a bolt of thunder coming from Scandinavia across most of Europe. There were many Many factors that contributed to the raids that so epitomized the period. The loose political structure in Scandinavia allowed wealthy warlords to organize warbands to conduct raids, while the lure of easy riches in European monasteries was certainly a pulling factor. The Viking religion, which placed a premium on bravery and the virtue of dying in battle, also led to many young men searching for fame and fortune beyond Scandinavia. <ref> Rosedahl, Else. <i> The Vikings.</i> Translated by Susan M. Margeson and Kirsten Williams. (London: Penguin, 1998), pgs. 148-58; 189-205 </ref> But perhaps just as important as warfare was to the Vikings, was the desire and will to explore.

The Vikings’ excellent outstanding ships and seamanship gave them the ability to travel great distances and the element of surprise in amphibious attacks. As fearless as the Vikings were in battle, they were equally brave on the high seas because to die at sea during exploration was considered just as honorable as dying in the battlefield. <ref> Rosedahl, p. 187</ref>

The Vikings’ ship building shipbuilding skills and technology provided them with the ability to travel long distances in their excellent ships. Viking ships were constructed by overlapping strakes that were joined with iron rivets and then caulked with an animal hair, which gave the ships the ability to maneuver better and travel faster. The ships sea vessels that the Vikings used for war , and long-distance exploration were was low and narrow relative to their length and usually made of oak. These ships also had a single mast that could be taken down in inclement weather or to go under bridges. <ref> Rosedahl, pgs. 84-85</ref> The cargo ships the Vikings used were a lot less elegant looking than their war/exploration ships, but just as effective for the needed job. They measured about sixteen to twenty-five meters in length and could carry from thirteen to thirty-eight tons of cargo. The deeper and bulkier cargo ships were also different than the warships because they had few oar holes. <ref> Rosedahl, pgs. 89-91</ref>

These ships also had a single mast that could be taken down in inclement weather or to go under bridges. <ref> Rosedahl, pgs. 84-85</ref> The cargo ships the Vikings used were a lot less elegant looking than their war/exploration ships, but just as effective for the needed job. They measured about sixteen to twenty-five meters in length and could carry from thirteen to thirty-eight tons of cargo. The deeper and bulkier cargo ships were also different than the warships because they had few oar holes. <ref> Rosedahl, pgs. 89-91</ref> ====The Vikings in North America====

‘Is that true, foster-father?’ asked Leif. ‘Of course , it is true,’ he replied. ‘Where I was born there were plenty of vines and grapes.’ They slept for the rest of the night, and next morning Leif said to his men, ‘Now we have two tasks on our hands. On alternate days we must gather grapes and cut vines, and then fell trees, to make a cargo for my ship.’ This was done. It is said that the The tow-boat was filled with grapes. They took on a full cargo of timber; and in the spring they made ready to leave and sailed away. Leif named the country after its natural qualities and called it Vinland.” <ref> Magnusson, Magnus and Hermann Pálsson, trans. and eds. <i> The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America.</i> (London: Penguin, 1965), Graendlendinga Saga, 4 </ref>

According to the sagas, another of Erik’s sons, Thorstein Eriksson, led expeditions to North America, as did Thorfinn Karlsefni. Although the existence of the Vinland Sagas were was known quite widely in the modern world, many thought they were the boastful stories of Norse skalds until the discovery of L’Anse aux Meadows in 1960.

L’Anse aux Meadows represents so far the only solid substantial archaeological evidence of a Viking colony in North America. Located at the northern tip of Newfoundland, L’Anse aux Meadows was once the site of a modest Norse settlement of several large buildings that were surrounded by turf walls. <ref> Rosedahl, p. 274</ref> Many scholars believe that L’Anse aux Meadows was the location of Vinland, but many are skeptical of that assessment for several reasons and place the location position much farther south.

====The Location of Vinland====

After the discovery of the Viking settlement in L’Anse aux Meadows, the majority of Norse scholars in the 1960s and 1970s believed that it was synonymous with the enigmatic Vinland. <ref> Larsson, Mats G. “The Vinland Sagas and Nova Scotia: A Reappraisal of an Old Theory.” <i>Scandinavian Studies</i> 64 (1992) p. 305</ref> A An examination of the evidence from the site seemed to confirm that idea on some levels: there were as many as ninety inhabitants there during its peak , and iron rivets and slags were found there along with the remains of a blacksmith’s shop, all of which indicate what was intended to be a long-term colony. <ref> Haywood, p. 98</ref> But a more critical examination of the flora and fauna mentioned in the Vinland Sagas pointed to a more southerly location for Vinland.

Beginning in In the late 1970s, the idea became popular that L’Anse aux Meadows was a permanent colony that functioned as a transit point for Norse explorers heading farther south into Vinlandwas popularized. The fact that the Gulf of St. Lawrence is the northernmost point where grapes can grow in the wild led scholars to look for Vinland somewhere in that region. <ref> Haywood, p. 98</ref> The Norwegian historian Gustav Storm first forwarded the idea in 1887 that Vinland was located in the modern Canadian province of Nova Scotia, based on the flora and fauna of the region. <ref> Larsson, p. 306</ref> Storm’s assessment was refuted on the grounds that because there are no wild grape vines found in Nova Scotia today, but early modern French explorers mentioned them in their observations , and it should be noted that the area was warmer in 1000 AD. In terms of the other plants, animals, and people that the sagas mentioned as native to Vinland, Larsson believes the wild wheat mentioned was probably wild rye, which is found throughout Nova Scotia. Salmon is also abundant in Nova Scotia and can be found as far south as Cape Cod. Finally, the Amerindians mentioned in the sagas who used “skin boats” to travel were probably the Micmac Indians of Nova Scotia, who were known to occasionally make their canoes from moose skins. <ref> Larsson, pgs. 313-17</ref> The theory that Vinland was farther to the south than Nova Scotia is less appealing, but should be considered.

Concerning the other plants, animals, and people that the sagas mentioned as native to Vinland, Larsson believes the wild wheat mentioned was probably wild rye, which is found throughout Nova Scotia. Salmon is also abundant in Nova Scotia and can be found as far south as Cape Cod. Finally, the Amerindians mentioned in the sagas who used “skin boats” to travel were probably the Micmac Indians of Nova Scotia, who were known to make their canoes from moose skins occasionally. <ref> Larsson, pgs. 313-17</ref> The theory that Vinland was farther to the south than Nova Scotia is less appealing, but should be considered. In 1748, while on a tour of North America, Swedish naturalist Peter Kalm noted what he believed were the remains of mining operations along the Delaware and New Jersey coasts. He argued that since the pre-Columbian Amerindians had no metal workingmetalworking, that what he saw must have been left by the Viking explorers/colonizers of Vinland. <ref> Kaups Matti, Douglas R. McManis, Brian Birch, and John C. Hudson. “Some Observations on Vinland.” <i>Annals of the Association of American Geographers</i> 60 (1970) p. 604</ref>  Unfortunately, Kalm’s observations cannot be corroborated by any extant archaeological evidence. The only evidence of a Viking presence south of L’Anse aux Meadows is a coin of King Olaf Kyree of Norway (ruled 1066-1080), which was discovered in Maine. The coin, though, could have ended up in that location in a number of some ways and should not be considered as undeniable evidence of a Norse presence in that region. <ref> Rosedahl, p.275</ref>

“Karlsefni and his men had realized by now that although the land was excellent , they could never live there in safety or freedom from fear, because of the native inhabitants. So they made ready to leave the place and return home.” <ref> Magnusson and Pálsson, Erik’s Saga, 11</ref>

====Conclusion====The Vikings’ discovery and exploration of North America is an interesting and exciting aspect of medieval European history. Archaeological evidence from L’Anse aux Meadows confirms that the Vikings did in fact colonize North America, but the location of the fabled Vinland remains an enigma. Some scholars believe that it was L’Anse aux Meadows, but based on the flora and fauna mentioned in the Vinland Sagas, it is more likely that Vinland was located somewhere in the modern Canadian province of Nova Scotia. ===References===

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