A Viking Discovery?

The famous explorer Christopher Columbus often gets the credit for being the first European to make it to the New World. But centuries before he set sail from Spain in 1492, a group of seafaring travelers called the Vikings got here first.

Often depicted as wild-haired, sword-wielding warriors, the Vikings sailed to eastern Canada from Europe around the year 1000 and established a settlement. Since scientists discovered that site nearly 60 years ago, it has widely been considered the only Viking settlement ever to exist in the Americas. Until now.

Using a research method called “space archaeology,” experts recently discovered signs of what could be a second ­Viking site in ­Canada, about 300 miles southwest of the first discovery. By studying ­satellite images of the terrain taken from space, the archaeologists found evidence of a possible Viking structure buried at Point Rosee, on the Canadian island of Newfoundland.  

Now archaeologists are excavating the muddy earth at Point Rosee, hoping to find proof that Vikings once lived there. Sarah ­Parcak of the University of Alabama and the lead archaeologist, thinks that what she and her team find could rewrite North American history.

“Either it’s an entirely new culture that looks exactly like the [Vikings’], and we don’t know what it is,” she told The Washington Post, “or it’s the westernmost [Viking] site that’s ever been discovered.”

The famous explorer Christopher Columbus is often thought of as the first European to make it to the New World. But centuries before his journey from Spain in 1492, a group of explorers called the Vikings got here first.

The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors who fought with swords. They sailed to eastern Canada from Europe around the year 1000 and established a settlement. Scientists discovered that site nearly 60 years ago. It has been known as the only Viking settlement ever to exist in the Americas. Until now.

Experts recently discovered signs of what could be a second Viking site in Canada. They discovered this possible site using a research method called “space archaeology.” This site is located about 300 miles southwest of the first discovery. The archaeologists studied satellite images of the land taken from space. They found evidence of a possible Viking structure buried at Point Rosee. That’s on the Canadian island of Newfoundland.

Archaeologists are now digging in the muddy earth at Point Rosee. They are hoping to find proof that Vikings once lived there. Sarah Parcak of the University of Alabama is the lead archaeologist in the investigation. She thinks that what she and her team find could change North American history.

“Either it’s an entirely new culture that looks exactly like the [Vikings’], and we don’t know what it is,” she told The Washington Post, “or it’s the westernmost [Viking] site that’s ever been discovered.”

The Vikings are some of history’s most legendary explorers. They came from Scandinavia—a region that today includes Denmark, ­Norway, and Sweden—during the Middle Ages.

From the late 700s to about 1100, the Vikings sailed along the coast of Europe and beyond. They established settlements in Iceland and Greenland, and they traveled as far south as Africa and as far east as Asia. Early Viking navigators relied on the position of the sun and the stars to guide them across the seas. They even learned how to determine their points of latitude.  

The Vikings have a reputation as plunderers and killers. They conquered villages, attacking ­people and stealing treasure. ­However, most Vikings were ­nothing like the savages they’re ­typically portrayed as in TV shows and books. Most sailed to trade goods and explore. They worked as fishermen, ironworkers, farmers, and shipbuilders. Many Vikings were also skilled in woodcarving and jewelry making.

The Vikings are well-known as explorers. They came from Scandinavia during the Middle Ages. Scandinavia is a region that today includes Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

The Vikings sailed along the coast of Europe and beyond from the late 700s to about 1100. They established settlements in Iceland and Greenland. The Vikings traveled as far south as Africa and as far east as Asia. Early Viking navigators used the position of the sun and the stars to guide them across the seas. They even learned how to determine their points of latitude. 

The Vikings are also known as thieves and killers. They conquered villages, attacking people and stealing treasure. Vikings are often portrayed as savages in TV shows and books. However, most Vikings were nothing like this. Most sailed to trade goods and explore. They worked as fishermen, ironworkers, farmers, and shipbuilders. Many Vikings were also skilled in woodcarving and jewelry making.

Experts believe that Viking leader Leif Erikson led an expedition to the Americas from Greenland around 1000. The Vikings stayed there for a few years at most, and many historians think they were driven away by indigenous groups, including Native Americans, who didn’t want them there.

The exact location of ­Erikson’s settlement remains unclear, but in 1960, archaeologists found their first proof of Vikings in the Americas. During an expedition to the northernmost part of Newfoundland, researchers stumbled on a site that had the remains of 1,000-year-old Viking buildings.

The discovery left archaeologists hopeful that they would find more evidence of Vikings in North America, but it would be decades before anything promising was uncovered.

As one researcher recently told reporters in Canada, “Looking ­­­for the [Vikings] in North America ­is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

Experts believe that Viking leader Leif Erikson led an expedition to the Americas from Greenland around 1000. The Vikings stayed there for a few years at most. Many historians think they were pushed away by local groups, including Native Americans, who didn’t want them there.

The exact location of Erikson’s settlement remains unclear. In 1960, archaeologists found their first proof of Vikings in the Americas. These researchers went on an expedition to the northernmost part of Newfoundland. There, they discovered a site that had the remains of 1,000-year-old Viking buildings.

The discovery left archaeologists hopeful that they would find more evidence of Vikings in North America. However, it would be decades before anything promising was uncovered.

As one researcher recently told reporters in Canada, “Looking for the [Vikings] in North America is like looking for a needle in a haystack.” 

Thanks to space archaeology, however, the search is getting easier. By studying satellite images taken from cameras 400 miles above Earth, scientists have uncovered ancient structures and settlements all over the world. Space archaeologists look for variations in landscape, including discolored soil and changes in vegetation. These variations often indicate the presence of human-made structures from the past.

Parcak had previously used space archaeology to locate ancient ­settlements, pyramids, and tombs in Egypt. Still, when she turned her attention to North America’s eastern coast in 2015, she wasn’t expecting to find anything Viking-related. 

But as Parcak scanned satellite images from Canada’s Arctic region down to Massachusetts, the pictures of Point Rosee jumped out at her. They had dark spots and straight lines, which hinted that human-made structures might be buried underneath. 

Parcak and her team went to ­Canada and started digging. They have unearthed several artifacts they think may have belonged to the Vikings, including a stone hearth—or fireplace—and mangled scraps of heated iron. (Melting iron was one way that Vikings produced nails to build their ships.)

Some archaeologists think that Point Rosee may have been where the Vikings repaired their ships, while others believe it was part of a bigger Viking settlement.

Thanks to space archaeology, however, the search is getting easier. Scientists study satellite images taken from cameras 400 miles above Earth. They have uncovered ancient structures and settlements all over the world. Space archaeologists look for differences in landscape, including discolored soil and changes in vegetation. These variations often show the presence of human-made structures from the past.

Parcak had previously used space archaeology to locate ancient settlements, pyramids, and tombs in Egypt. Still, she did not expect to find anything Viking-related when studying North America’s eastern coast in 2015.

Parcak scanned satellite images from Canada’s Arctic region down to Massachusetts.  She quickly noticed pictures of Point Rosee. They had dark spots and straight lines. This hinted that human-made structures might be buried underneath.

Parcak and her team went to Canada and started digging. They have uncovered several artifacts they think may have belonged to the Vikings. The team discovered a stone hearth—or fireplace—and mangled scraps of heated iron. (Melting iron was one way that Vikings produced nails to build their ships.)

Some archaeologists think that Point Rosee may have been where the Vikings repaired their ships. Others believe it was part of a bigger Viking settlement. 

Further analysis is required to determine exactly what lies under the ground at Point Rosee. Parcak has taken bags of soil and iron back to her lab in Alabama, where she and her team will spend the next few months testing the materials.

While many archaeologists are hopeful that they’ve stumbled upon new Viking territory, Parcak isn’t jumping to conclusions. 

Further analysis is required to determine exactly what lies under the ground at Point Rosee. Parcak has taken bags of soil and iron back to her lab in Alabama. She and her team will spend the next few months testing the materials.

Many archaeologists are hopeful that they’ve discovered new Viking territory. But Parcak isn’t jumping to conclusions.

“This is going to take years of careful excavation,” she said. “It raises a lot more questions than it answers. But that’s what any new discovery is supposed to do.”