CollapseoftheGreenlandVikingSettlements.docVIP

Collapse of the Greenland Viking Settlements The Vikings arrived in Greenland from Iceland in 980 A.D. By 1000 A.D. around 5,000 people lived there in small farming communities. For several centuries the Viking civilization in Greenland maintained close ties to their European brethren through trade. However after 450 years several events led to the collapse of the Greenland Viking civilization. The last contact the Greenlander Vikings had with other Europeans was in 1406. Archeological evidence suggests that by 1435 all or nearly all of the Vikings had disappeared from Greenland. What happened? How could a civilization last for more than 450 years and, then, suddenly disappear? The settlement story: According to Icelandic Sagas (oral or written histories) Eric the Red settled Greenland when he was banished from Iceland for killing several people. After exploring the island for three years Eric returned to Iceland calling his finding “Greenland” and boasting of its abundant resources: farmland, fresh water and animal life. Attracted to the many possibilities, many from Icelandic Vikings migrated to Greenland. Upon their arrival, the Vikings found evidence of human inhabitants, the Dorset people. Later the Vikings came into contact with the Inuit who were migrating across the Arctic following prey animals. Contrary to popular belief, the Vikings were primarily farmers and traders. Greenlanders set up farms, raised cattle and sheep, fished and hunted. They traded Arctic furs and ivory with Iceland and Scandinavia for essential items lacking in Greenland’s harsh climate, such as large trees for roof beams and boat building, iron for weapons and tools, and cultural artifacts for the church. The Vikings primarily settled in two areas on the western coast of Greenland, known confusingly as Eastern Settlement (near the tip) and Western Settlement (approximately 300 miles north). The Western Settlement supported perhaps 4,000 inhabitants spread out in