Viking Settlement in Newfoundland: New Dating Method Reveals Exact Year
New Dating Method
Researchers have developed an innovative dating method using tree rings to pinpoint the exact year that Vikings occupied Newfoundland. By examining growth rings for a rare cosmic-ray event that occurred in 993 C.E., scientists were able to determine that the Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows was established in 1021 C.E.
Evidence from Wood Artifacts
The dating method was applied to three wooden artifacts found at L’Anse aux Meadows: a piece of fir, a piece of juniper, and a discarded section of a tree stump. These artifacts showed clear markings of being cut and shaped with metal tools, indicating that they were produced by Vikings.
Tree Ring Analysis
Dendrochronological archives from around the world contain evidence of the 993 cosmic-ray event, which caused a spike in atmospheric carbon levels. By identifying this spike in the tree rings of the Viking artifacts, researchers were able to count the growth rings and determine the exact year the trees were felled: 1021 C.E.
Confirmation from Norse Sagas
The new dating method aligns well with the accounts of Viking voyages to Vinland (North America) recorded in the Icelandic sagas. The sagas describe Norse explorers establishing base camps in Vinland, including one that is believed to have been located at L’Anse aux Meadows.
Implications for Viking History
The precise date of the Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows has implications for our understanding of Norse exploration and colonization. It suggests that the Vikings may have occupied Newfoundland for a longer period than previously thought, and that they may have made more frequent journeys between Greenland and Vinland.
Viking Exploration and Voyaging
The Vikings were skilled seafarers who traveled widely from Scandinavia to the British Isles, Iceland, and eventually across the Atlantic. They were also known for their raids and trading expeditions, and they established settlements in various parts of the world.
Future Applications of the Dating Method
The new dating method using cosmic-ray events has the potential to revolutionize archaeological research. By examining tree rings and other wooden artifacts, scientists can now pinpoint the exact year of events that occurred centuries or even millennia ago. This method is expected to be employed at archaeological sites far and wide.