One thousand years ago, Norse Explorer Leif Erikson stepped off a ship and onto an unknown land, becoming the first known European to set foot on North American soil. This discovery led to future Viking expeditions from Greenland to Atlantic Canada, potentially lasting several centuries. Though the 13th century Icelandic sagas tell tales of these exploits, corroborating archaeological evidence was not discovered until the site of L’Anse aux Meadows was excavated in the year 1961. In the half-century following this groundbreaking discovery, our understanding of the history of North America has shifted. Further discoveries have been made, but many more remain mysteries waiting to be discovered. Who were the Vikings? Why did they continue to return to North America? Where is the elusive settlement of Hóp? What do these recent discoveries mean for the way we tell Canada’s history? We explore the answers to these questions and more in Finding Vinland: Unearthing Evidence for Viking Presence in North America.
