L’Anse aux Meadows, the only verified Viking settlement in North America is located at the northern tip of Newfoundland. It serves as a UNESCO Heritage Site that provides a unique peek into Norse endeavors of discovering an undiscovered country around one thousand years ago. Traveling to L’Anse aux Meadows is like going back in time when people were so daring and very resilient.
L’Anse aux Meadows’ History
The story of L’Anse aux Meadows begins in approximately 100 AD when Norse explorers of Leif Erikson came from Greenland to Newfoundland. Vestiges of what they called Vinland, the settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows had a simply constructed group of houses whose roofs were covered with sod; a base for exploration as well as timber and iron harvesting which was evidence to their skills and adaptability.
It was narrated through Norse sagas that there existed Viking settlement in North America for many years, and therefore remained a myth. However, the first physical evidence was discovered in 196 by Helge Ingstad, a Norwegian, and his wife Anne Stine Ingstad who was an archaeologist from the same country. Since then there have been excavations that were done which revealed eight structures along with various objects, thus confirming presence of this ancient Norse community at that location while at the same time elevating it to an important archaeological site known as L’Anse aux Meadows.
- **Norse Architecture**: This part of the world boasts reconstructed Viking sod homes that have been constructed through traditional means allowing visitors to experience genuine Norse architectural designs.
- **Ironworking Evidence**: One of the largest findings included a forge where iron smelting was being undertaken using bog ore—a type of advancement that showed how good they were at working with metals.
- **Artifacts**: Numerous findings were made here including bronze clothing pins, weights for spindles as well as soapstone whorl spindle revealing bits that depicted everyday life activities of those who migrated away from Denmark into regions such as present day Norway.
- **Global Recognition**: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared L’Anse aux Meadows as one of the world heritage sites in 1978.
- **Connection with Norse sagas**: This place fits well into the tales told in Norse sagas which describe events similar to those narrated in Erikson’s account, giving authenticity to these accounts passed over from generation by word of mouth.
Visiting L’Anse aux Meadows
**Location**: L’Anse aux Meadows is situated on the northernmost point of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada while within the precincts of L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
**How to Get There**:
– **By Car**: Although it is a lengthy journey of roughly 1,000 km from St John’s—to the Newfoundland capital—you can take pleasure in a lot of beautiful sites along the way. Or else, one might choose driving from Gros Morne National Park that stands about 400 kilometers away.
– **By Air**: The nearest airports are in Deer Lake and St. Anthony. From these airports, you can rent a car or take a local shuttle to reach the site.
– **By Ferry**: During the summer months, ferry services operate from mainland Canada to Newfoundland. Once on the island, you can drive to L’Anse aux Meadows.
Tips for Your Visit:
- **Plan Ahead**: For more information on when the site opens and closes, one can visit the official Parks Canada website.
- **Dress Warmly**: In Newfoundland, even during summer time, weather does not remain constant. Consequently, people are advised to put on layers (clothing), water-proof clothes or shoes.
- **Guided Tours**: Guides who work with Parks Canada usually offer guided trips around this area. These guides always provide an interesting insight to what happened here earlier on.
- **Explore the Surroundings**: This enigmatic location cannot be missed on our planet. Therefore, when you come here also consider visiting such places as Gros Morne National Park, Viking Trail and other beautiful villages that line up along the coast.
What to Do at L’Anse aux Meadows
– **Visit the Reconstructed Viking Village**: It provides a wonderful opportunity to see inside rebuilt turf houses showing how life would have been like for these Nordic seafarers while they lived here. The past comes alive through demonstrations done by costumed interpreters.
– **Explore the Museum**: At the museum located within the visitor center, there are exhibitions on Viking history, archeology related to this place as well as other findings that help people understand more about Norse explorations throughout Europe.
– **Walk the Trails**: The site offers walking trails along its coastline plus provides a view of nearby wildlife habitat.
L’Anse aux Meadows goes beyond being a simple historical site, it represents an entire period of exploration and adventure. A visit to this exceptional Viking location is bound to remain an unforgettable experience regardless of whether you are here because you are interested in history, an archaeologist, or just a normal tourist.
