June 24, 2013  We spent most of the day at the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the only known Viking site in North America and the earliest evidence of Europeans in the western hemisphere. This site was declared the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. There is a sculptured monument located on this site where it is believed that the “Circle of Human Migration” was completed. About 100,000 years ago humans migrated out of Africa; some of them moved eastward into Asia and Australia, and some moved westward into Europe. Some of those that moved into Asia eventually found their way further eastward into the Americas, across the Bearing Sea land bridge; some of those travelers went as far east as Newfoundland. A branch of those that moved into Europe found Norway. When the Norsemen (Vikings) met the aboriginal peoples of Newfoundland, the worldwide circle of migration was completed.

Circle of Human Life Monument at L'Anse aux Meadows World Heritage Site

The Vikings landed on the area now known as L’Anse aux Meadows in about 1,000 A.D., when Leif Eiriksson, son of Eirik the Red, and 35 men made a voyage to the area from Greenland. He stayed, built shelters and work areas, explored a bit, and returned to Greenland a year later. During the next 20 years several Vikings groups made trips to the area that came to be known as Vinland in the Norse writings and sagas. The established base camp was used to search for wood and other resources to bring back to Greenland. Out of the 25 years that the base camp existed, it was used for about 10 years. When it was finally abandoned, it was probably seen as not worth the voyages and expense. Modern interpretation of the ash found in the excavation indicates that the peat dwellings were burned when abandoned.

Fast forward to 1960.  Noregian historian Helge Ingsted had been searching for evidence of Viking presence in North America for years, stopped at a likely place in Newfoundland. He inquired among the locals about the presence of any nearby mounds or earth works. He soon found George Decker, who showed him what the locals called “the old Indian camp.” Ingsted immediately recognized the site as a Viking camp and began the archeological excavation of the remnants of sod huts. Seven years later, Parks Canada joined in the excavation and together they discovered artifacts that proved conclusively that the Vikings had established a settlement in North America five centuries before the voyages of Columbus. Some of the artifacts found in the remnants of three dwellings, four workshops, and an iron-working smithy included a soapstone spindle whorl, bronze ring-headed pin, and iron rivets. Other evidence of the Viking presence included wood fragments from trees not indigenous to the area.

The foundations of the original Viking sod huts have been preserved and used by Parks Canada as the basis for reconstructing the village buildings. The buildings have been stocked with tools, clothing, and other traditional Norse items likely used by the Vikings during their occupation of the site. A guided tour of the site took about 1 ½ hours and another 1 ½  hours was spent at the visitor’s center. Two costumed “Vikings” brought the surrounding exhibits alive, and answered questions. Children of any age could use the equipment in the adjoining room, helmets, shields, swords and other weapons to dress up like a real Viking, having pictures taken, of course.

Sod Hut Foundations at L'Anse aux Meadows World Heritage Site 

 Reconstructed Sod Huts at L'Anse Meadows World Heritage Site

Equipment in Reconstructed Sod Huts at L'Anse Meadows World Heritage Site

After this site visit we toured the present day fishing villages of L’Anse aux Meadows and Quirpon. Patrice and I had a great seafood dinner at the Northern Delight Restaurant in Gunners Cove. Patrice had a fresh mussel appetizer and cod tongue entrée, and I had the lobster dinner followed by partridgeberry pie.

We saw 8 moose grazing in meadows on our way back to our rig. What a great day in a strange and wonderful land!

Moose near Gunners Cove 

Moose near Gunners Cove