4. The Greenland Vikings - Land of the Midnight Sun
Fall of Civilizations・52 minutes read
Norwegian sailors discovered a mysterious dead man dressed as an Inuit hunter in Greenland, sparking curiosity about his identity and the Greenland Vikings' civilization, known for their settlements, farming, and interactions with indigenous peoples. Despite thriving for a time, the Greenland Norse population faced challenges adapting to changing climate and resources, ultimately disappearing by the 15th century, with theories suggesting they may have migrated to Vinland or assimilated with the Inuit people.
Insights
- Viking settlers in Greenland, led by Erik the Red, thrived initially due to the abundant walrus population, monopolizing the ivory trade and adapting to the arctic climate by farming and hunting.
- The decline of Greenland Norse settlements was influenced by external factors like the Little Ice Age, leading to malnutrition, harsh living conditions, and challenges in adapting to changing climates.
- The disappearance of the Greenland Vikings by the 15th century was likely due to economic factors, declining resources, and theories suggesting migration to Vinland or assimilation with the Inuit people, as evidenced by archaeological findings and historical records.
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Recent questions
How did the Greenland Vikings adapt to the arctic climate?
By fertilizing soil, farming, and hunting walrus.
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Summary
00:00
Greenland Vikings: Mysterious Settlers and Sagas
- In 1540, Norwegian sailors faced a dangerous storm while sailing to Iceland, eventually landing in Greenland.
- They discovered a dead man dressed as an Inuit hunter, but with red hair and pale skin, sparking curiosity.
- The sailors took the man's knife and brought it back to Iceland, pondering his mysterious identity.
- The Fall of Civilizations podcast explores the Greenland Vikings' civilization, detailing their survival in harsh conditions.
- Vikings, centuries before Columbus, settled in Greenland, establishing farms, trading with Native Americans, and exploring North America.
- The Greenland Viking settlements eventually collapsed, leaving a chilling mystery behind.
- Viking sagas provide crucial information about Norman Greenland, offering insights into their lives and adventures.
- Erik the Red, born in Norway, ventured to Iceland and later Greenland, defying odds to reach the icy land.
- Erik's banishment from Iceland led him to Greenland, where he discovered a bay suitable for landing.
- Greenland, with its massive ice sheet, was the destination of Erik the Red's historic voyage, changing the world's map forever.
18:32
Erik the Red's Greenland Settlement Success
- The Normans explored a harsh, barren land that held potential for settlement, with Erik the Red leading the way.
- Erik the Red returned to Iceland with a plan to gather settlers for Greenland, using persuasion tactics like naming the land "Greenland" to attract followers.
- Erik the Red led a fleet of 25 ships filled with people, supplies, and livestock to Greenland, but only 14 ships made it to their destination.
- Establishing a colony in Greenland was as challenging for the Normans as landing on the moon would be for us, with significant losses during the perilous journey.
- Greenland's arctic climate posed difficulties, but the Norse settlers adapted by fertilizing soil, farming, and keeping livestock for dairy products.
- The Norse settlers thrived in Greenland due to the abundant walrus population, with walrus tusks being highly valued in Europe.
- The Norse monopolized the walrus ivory trade, with a boatload of tusks worth more than all woolen fabric from 4,000 Icelandic farms.
- The Norse settlers in Greenland hunted walrus, seal, salmon, and narwhal, using salesmanship to sell narwhal horns as unicorn horns in Europe.
- The Greenland settlements grew to over 5,000 inhabitants, with ornate structures like a sandstone cathedral and a massive barn for livestock.
- Despite impressive developments, Greenland colonies struggled to be self-sufficient, as illustrated by the challenges faced by a Greenlander named Esmund Castanari.
35:47
Inuit and Vikings clash in North America.
- An Inuit kayaker encounters a Norseman named Norman and kills him with a spear, sparking fear of Norse retaliation.
- Inuit and Norsemen engage in battles and have conflicting perceptions of each other in ancient times.
- Inuit warriors were capable of defending themselves with armor made of walrus hides, bone spears, and powerful bows.
- Thuli people, moving south, attacked Viking settlements in 1379, killing men and taking prisoners.
- Despite periods of trade and peace, violent clashes often occurred between Inuit and Vikings.
- Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, discovers North America and establishes temporary settlements.
- Thorvald, Leif's brother, encounters Native Americans in Vinland, leading to a deadly conflict.
- Vikings establish temporary settlements in North America, with L'anse aux Meadows being the only confirmed site.
- Lack of resources and fragile links to Europe prevent Vikings from establishing permanent settlements in North America.
- The Western Greenland settlement mysteriously falls into ruins, with no sign of its inhabitants, possibly due to conflict with indigenous populations.
51:36
Challenges of Greenland Norse in Changing Climate
- The Medieval Warm Period lasted from around 900 to 1300, allowing Vikings in Greenland to thrive due to warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons.
- The subsequent Little Ice Age, starting in the late 13th century, brought colder temperatures globally, leading to harsh conditions in Greenland.
- The decline in temperatures during the Little Ice Age was attributed to various factors, including volcanic eruptions and decreased solar radiation.
- Greenlandic Norse settlements faced challenges as temperatures dropped, sea ice expanded, and storms intensified.
- The Norse in Greenland initially resisted adapting to the changing climate, clinging to European lifestyles and clothing despite worsening conditions.
- The Norse began hunting seals and shifting their diet to adapt, with seal bones becoming a significant part of their diet.
- Despite efforts to adapt, the Norse population in Greenland suffered from malnutrition and harsh living conditions.
- The decline of Greenland settlements was exacerbated by external factors like the Black Death in Norway, disrupting supply missions to Greenland.
- The Greenland Norse faced further challenges with reduced grain imports, iron deficiency, and the need to hunt seals extensively for survival.
- As the climate worsened, Greenland Norse hunters embarked on perilous journeys, facing treacherous conditions at sea and dwindling resources, mirroring the struggles of the Shetland Islands.
01:08:05
Greenland Vikings: Decline and Disappearance
- On July 16, 1832, a freak storm hit the Shetland Islands, sinking 16 boats and causing the death of over a hundred men, wiping out more than 80% of the male population in some communities.
- The Norse presence in Greenland ended in the 15th century, with the last written record of Vikings in Greenland dating back to 1408.
- Hvalsey Church in Greenland, where a wedding took place in 1408, is the best-preserved Norse building in Greenland.
- Evidence suggests that economic factors, such as the decline in the value of walrus ivory, contributed to the disappearance of Vikings in Greenland by 1435.
- Archaeological findings indicate that the Greenland Vikings resorted to eating animals like cows' hooves and small game as the climate worsened.
- Theories suggest that the Greenland Vikings may have left for Vinland (Canada) or assimilated with the Inuit people, abandoning their European ways.
- Hans Egede, a Norwegian explorer, visited Greenland in 1723 in search of the Norsemen, finding only ruins and rubble.
- Bishop Odsonne's chronicles hint at the possibility of Greenland Vikings migrating to America, supported by a ship reaching Iceland from Vinland in 1347.
- The Old Norse poetry Voluspa describes the end of the world, reflecting the bleak and isolated existence of the Greenland Vikings.
