1. Newfoundland

Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland

Read More
Vikings and icebergs
24 / 70

Vikings and icebergs

L'anse aux Meadows at the far north tip of the Great Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland was the first landing site of Vikings in North America around 1000 AD. The archaeological remains of the settlement were discovered in 1960 by the Ingstads, a Norwegian couple who were convinced that this is the site of Vinland of Norse sagas. The settlement was though to have lasted for a couple of years before it was abandoned. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The original settlement contain eight buildings constructed of sod laid over a wood frame construction. In the meadow you can see reconstructions of the settlement, while offshore ice bergs that migrate down from Greenland in the spring and summer can be seen.

Responding to the 'bleak' comment by Joan and Juliennane, research on the site shows that around the time the site was settled this meadow contained a forest and fresh water, which was one of the reasons why it was chosen, as the Vikings needed wood for framing their houses, boat building and for heating forges, etc. But winters in particular were bleak and that, combined with reports of aggression from the native tribes (the Beothuks, extinct since the 1800s) led to the abandonment of the site.

L'anse aux MeadowUNESCO World Heritagesod buildingicebergsmeadowGreat Northern PeninsulaNewfoundlandViking settlement

  • Flower's Island lighthouse looking SE with lobster traps, Nameless Cove, Newfoundland
  • Lightkeeper's house looking to the South East, Flower's Island, Nameless Bay, Flower's Cove, Newfoundland BW
  • Ghost light, abandoned lighthouse, Flowers Island, Flowers Cove BW, Newfoundland
  • Vikings and icebergs
  • L'Anse Aux Meadows with offshore icebergs, Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland
  • L'Anse Aux Meadows with offshore icebergs, Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland sm
  • L'Anse Aux Meadows visitor center, Newfoundland
  • 'Meeting of two worlds sculpture' Luben Boykov and Richard Brixel, L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Icebergs in Islands Bay, L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Reconstructed sod building F, L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Detail of sod building F, L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Inside sod building F, L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Women's room with a primitive loom with stone weights, sleeping platforms, a fire pit, and a dirt floor.  This is one of three large rooms in Building F (longhouse) at L'anse au Meadows UNESCO Historic Site, Newfoundland.  The house was reconstructed according the techniques for building sod houses  used when the Vikings settled the area around 1000 AD.<br />
<br />
Sod houses have been built for centuries and examples are known from Norway, Iceland, Ireland and the Canadian and US prairies. An excellent write up on the techniques used in the construction can be found here: <a href="http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/Turf_Houses.htm">http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/daily_living/text/Turf_Houses.htm</a>.  It was an inexpensive way to built a house on the treeless prairies for the pioneers migrating west.  One Montana settler reported spending only $2.78 on the construction of his entire house.  Because of their thick walls they were cool in summer and warm in winter and completely recyclable.  But because it was built of dirt and grass it was constantly infested with bugs, mice, snakes, and assorted other pests. And the roof could start leaking or even dissolve and collapse in heavy rains.  In very dry weather dirt and grass would start to crumble off the roof and fall like rain inside the house.  Sounds like life in a turf house could be interesting, but challenging.
  • Viking landing site
  • Handiwork
  • The Viking
  • Basket of wools for weaving and knitting sitting in a sod house (Building F), L'anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • The sod houses of L'anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Viking land site c1000AD, L'anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Viking sod building (Building F), L'anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • Lgood

    on August 20, 2017

    I know I've commented before, but i do love this and the history of the place.

  • Bruno Suignard

    on August 20, 2017

    beautiful and interesting view!!

  • BIRDS-WILDLIFE-AUSTRALIA

    on August 20, 2017

    Very interesting image and info !!

  • Judith Sparhawk

    on January 17, 2017

    Sounds like an interesting place, with so many early historical events.

  • arctangent

    on January 17, 2017

    L'anse aux Meadows is on my bucket list, just from its historical associations. I well remember the excitement of reading the first reports of the rediscovery of the site in the sixties.

  • jimholmquist

    on January 16, 2017

    Awesome shot and interesting history!

  • Gene Hyder

    on January 16, 2017

    Good shot.

  • God's Child

    on January 16, 2017

    So much landscape to see, examine, and admire here!
    1/15/2017

  • Byron Fair Photography

    on January 15, 2017

    Outstanding.

  • fotoeffects

    on January 15, 2017

    Desolate looking place!

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2022 SmugMug, Inc.