Greenland

The world's largest island; the Inuit are believed to have crossed from North America to northwest Greenland, using the islands of the Canadian Arctic as stepping stones in a series of migrations that stretched from 4000 BC to 1000 AD. Several distinct cultures are known, including the Sarqaq (c 1400-700 BC), Dorset (c. 800 BC-1300 AD), and others such as the Dundas (Thule) and Inugsuk. The Icelandic sagas and histories tell of failed attempts to colonize Greenland in the 970s and how the exiled Erik the Red eventually succeeded in 985. Archaeologists have located several early farmsteads, where the occupants began some cultivation and animal farming, supplementing their diets by hunting and fishing. Erik's own farm at Bratthalio consisted of a main long house with thick walls of stone and turf. Inside there was a central conduit and animal stalls with partitions made of whale scapulae. There were also four barns and outbuildings and the remains of a small U-shaped chapel with a wooden gable which was built by Erik's wife after her conversion to Christianity around 1000. From Greenland voyages were made to the coast of America, and Erik's son was one of the first explorers to reach 'Vinland', which was probably Maine.

The Icelandic sagas and histories tell of failed attempts to colonize Greenland in the 970s and how the exiled Erik the Red eventually succeeded in 985. It seems that these years were times of famine and overpopulation in Iceland and Erik was soon joined by 25 ships carrying colonists, 14 of which arrived. Erik and one group of settlers founded the Eastern Settlement, while the rest sailed further up the western coast to the Western Settlement. Archaeologists have located several of these earliest farmsteads, where the occupants began some cultivation and animal farming, supplementing their diets by hunting and fishing. Erik’s own farm at Bratthalio consisted of a main long house with walls 1.5 metres thick constructed of stone and turf. Inside there was a central conduit and animal stalls with partitions made of whale scapulae. There were also four bams and outbuildings and the remains of a small U-shaped chapel with a wooden gable which was built by Erik’s wife after her conversion to Christianity around 1000. From Greenland voyages were made to the coast of America, and Erik’s son was one of the first explorers to reach ‘Vinland’.