Marginalia

The Norse in Newfoundland in 1021

The Norse presence in North America has been attested to by written accounts and archaeological evidence. Now, an international team of scientists has been able to precisely date their activity at a site in Newfoundland to the year 1021.

With their iconic longships, the Norse were able to establish settlements in Iceland, Greenland, and eventually a base at L’Anse aux Meadows, along the western coast of Newfoundland. However, it has remained unclear when this first transatlantic activity took place. The new research, published in the journal , focuses on wood chopped by Vikings at L’Anse aux Meadows. The three pieces of wood studied, from three different trees, all came from contexts archaeologically attributable to the Vikings. Each one also displayed clear evidence of cutting and slicing by blades made of metal – a material not produced by the indigenous population. The exact year they were cut down – 1021 – was determinable be cause a massive solar storm occurred in 992 AD that produced a distinct radiocarbon