The Vinland Voyages Essay Example for Free

The Vin soil Voyages EssayThe Vikings memorial refers to sagas, which are the anile stories compose in the Norwegian language that read more than like faerie tales than bill books. The Vikings these sagas refer to are larger than life, more caricature or super hero than diachronic figure. This has left many people wondering if Vikings were real or if the stories are just fictional tales written by authors with wonderful imaginations. Twentieth century historians began to recognize that this sagas held valuable information about(predicate) the history of the past and were more than simple stories (Brooks 1986). the Statesns celebrates capital of Ohio Day and it is closely accepted but the general commonwealth, that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. However, historical and archeological reoceanrch shows clearly that on that point were explorers in America long sooner Columbus. Scholars agree, that the Vikings were the head start Europeans to arrive in u niting America, and did so centuries before Christopher Columbus (Jones 2001). fractional a century before Christopher Columbus is said to get discovered America, Viking sea captain and explorer, Leif Erickson and his crew, arrive is what is thought to be Newfoundland, Canada.Eriksson called the new land Vinland (Nichol 2003). While there is somewhat debate as to the marrow of the name, a quote form a saga indicates that the name is related to the native grapes. So is said, that their aft-boat was filled with grapes. straight was hewn a lading for the ship. And when spring came, they do ready and sailed a room and gave Leif name to the land later on the lands products and called it Wineland (The Flatey Book, Translation of the Saga of Eric the Rd). The com handscement exercise written supporting of Vinland was found in a work by historian Adam of Bre workforce and was written in the category 1075 (Bolls 1986).Another major source of information regarding Vinland comes fr om two head known sagas the Saga of Eric the Red and from the Saga of the Greenlanders. These works were not written until the 13th century, hundreds of days after the actual counterbalancets so there is some question of their reliability or accuracy (Jones 2001). However, they are the main written docu handstation for this period and historians have relied on the sagas to paint the picture of the Viking voyage to North America and uncovering of Vinland (Jones 2001).Though the Vikings did not make Vinland a permanent home, the Viking influence is clearly documented in North America (Brooks 1986). There has been substantial research into the Viking history and contribution to North America and it is surprising to check over of the discoveries by archeologists now, more than 1000 years later (Jones 2001). Moving from their S finishdinavian roots of Nor delegacy, Denmark and Sweden was no itty-bitty feat. The Vikings plodded along that journey to North America over the course of about 200 years (Jones 2001). muniment of the VikingsVikings developed into a clearly defined featureion of people in approximately the year 780. Vikings can be traced to their roots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, though it is to begin with the Norwegian faction that make the choice to impress watt. Their language had Germanic roots. The Viking Age is considered to be the period from approximately 800 1050 AD (Fitzhigh 2000)The era period from the early recorded raids in the 790s until the Norman Conquest of England d in 1066 is commonly called the Viking Age (Jones 2001). During the Viking Age, Scandinavia expansion was at its height.Historians point to a variety of reasons that he Vikings exponent have moved from their Scandinavian countries. The expansion in ship construction and the ability to go to sea opened up explorations opportunities. At that time, they were able to go beyond the boundaries of their small countries. With the abilities to build large ships that cou ld hold large modus operandis of people and plenty of goods to swop with other colonies, came a desire to explore the larger world. The Vikings developed an expertise, now legendary, for navigating the seas (Fitzhugh).The basic Vikings ships are interpret back to the years between 800-900 AD in Norway and appeared to be much more advanced that those made throughout the rest of Europe. Originally, the ships were business officeed by rows but later, sails were developed. The Vikings were the first group to utilize sail to power their vessels (Fitzhugh). Vikings developed excellent navigational skills. They relied on the sun, moon and the stars and learned how to note wave patterns in the sea as well as the particular fish or birds in the areas to help denudation their way crossways the seas.. Vikings also honed skills as traders and entrepreneurs (Fitzhugh). Vikings lived in Scandinavia for longer than one thousand years. With the increase in population the people had a natural desire to explore and began to develop the skills and means to do so. The Vikings were a vivacious community with a strong culture of myths, and the gods in which they call backd. The Viking belief in gods was similar to that of Greeks mythology. The stories of the gods had them appear quite humanlike. Viking culture consisted of the nobles, and the freeman in addition to slaves.The nobles became the leader and kings. The freeman were the tradesman, farmers and craftsmen. They were lan suck downers. The slaves were the people the Vikings captured on their explorations to other areas and because brought home with them. Historically, Viking lived in long wooden structures called longhouses. They often added on to these structures and one longhouse could include some(prenominal) generations of family. Women in the Viking era were free to choose their own husbands and could leave their husbands if they choose to. The women were respected for their ability to care for farms and ho mes.During this time of seafaring exploration and cultural expansion is when the Vikings earned the reputation of raiders and pirates. They were reported to frequent the unlocked churches that they came across along the costal towns of French, Germany and England and steel from them. Vikings as Seafarers Much of what is now known about Viking ship make was learned as a force of the discovery of ancient burial groups in Norway. This find include ships that were well enough preserved to provide insight to the Viking technology. Additional discoveries have since been made that provide even more detail.As the ships were made of wood, archaeologist are able to use tree rings to date the ships. The Viking ships were manufactured with iron, which allowed the ships to refuse the salt water of the sea and made long ravel possible. The iron was what made the difference from previous boats, to Viking ships. The Vikings were able to build large ships that could haul large numbers of people a nd bloodline as well as other goods to trade. It took the people of the region to new areas where they could explore and trade goods. The men of this region learned ship building as a matter of course, as women learned weaving.With the availability of wood and iron and the skills to build, larger number of people had access to ship building and trade. The Vikings that traveled west were primarily Norwegian and began with closedowns in Britain. These Vikings came with farming skills as well as goods to trade. The goods they brought included fur, wool and ivory. The Vikings thusly landed in Iceland in approximately 870 and they grew in population to over 30,000 in that area during the first 50 years. The Norwegian exploration resulted in an ongoing relationship of trade and communication as out-migration between Norway, Britain and Iceland.The exploration to Greenland began around the year 982. The story of the Vikings in Vineland begins with the ongoing desire of the Vikings for more land and the banishment of Eric Thorvaldson or Eric the Red from Norway. Thorvald and his son Eric the Red were forced to leave Norway due to involvement in apparent murders They found themselves in Iceland and Eric the Red married a woman named Thjohild . Eric and Thjohild had a son, the very well known historical figure, Leif Eriksson. Eventually Eric was expelled from Iceland as a result of more violence and in 982 headed west, remittal his family in Greenland (Fitzhugh).The Vikings at that time, had control over areas in England, Ireland, Scotland and France before moving on to Iceland and Greenland. Old Viking stories contract that Eric enticed people to Greenland with the name, which implied warmer weather and a positive place to settle. He was able to recruit more than 450 people for the original settlement. According to records of the humor at that time, this was a warmer period for Greenland and the colonies that developed were successful raising livestock, trading walrus tusks as well as farming (Fitzhugh 2000).Another Viking captain, Bjarni Herjolfsson was lost at sea when on a trip to visit his father in Greenland and it is thought that he may have landed in North America for a time. He eventually did find his way to Greenland and told everyone about the land he had discovered temporary hookup he was off course Leif Eriksson was curious and contumacious that he would plan an expedition to the new land and was able to recruit a group of men to come with him. When Leif Erikson and his crew found the new land, he named it Vineland, because the land was covered in vines.He enjoyed Vineland and stayed there for a several months. Leif along with his sister Freydis and brother Thorvals, are thought to be perhaps the first Europeans in North America in approximately 1000 A. D. The Vineland Leif Erickson visited, was already establish as a colony by another group. The Vikings called them barbarians. The Vikings left as they were so clearly outnu mbered and not prepared to bout The Vikings of the time continued to visit Vinland for goods and resources that were not as deep in Greenland.Eric the Red ruled Greenland until his cobblers last in 1003, at which time his son Leif Ericsson took over the leadership of Greenland. In approximately 1020 A. D. , Leifs son. Thorgills Leifsson took over as the ruler of Greenland. Leif Erickson, or Leif the Lucky as he later became know as a result of his successful voyages, is responsible for bringing Christian missionaries to Greenland. While the stories we hear of Vikings lead one to believe that they were blood-red and aggressive warriors, there is also a history of assimilating with the new lands and of embracing new cultures and ideas.Leif Ericsson Leif Ericsson is the underlying figure n all stories and histories regarding the Vikings and North America. He was the oldest of four children. Leif was probably thirty years old when he took his crew on the trip west in the year 1001 and found Vinland. Historians today believe that Ericsson probably landed first on Baffin Islands, Markland and Labrador before settling in Vinland for a period of several years. The settlement they established became known as Leifrsbudir. The term Leifsbudir likely refers to Leifs booths.Leif accepted Christianity during a year long trip to Norway on an earlier voyage where he went to visit the King Olav with the goal of modify his power and reputation. When he returned back to Greenland his father refused Christianity though his mother converted quickly. She was responsible for the building of the first Christian church in Greenland. The exploration led by Leif Ericsson to North America is documented primarily in the Vinland Saga, which include the Saga of Greenland and he Saga of Eric the Red. These stories were written in the 13th centaury as the result of history passed down through the years.In the twentieth century, when the stories were linked with ht e actual archeological discoveries in Newfoundland, Viking history began to take shape and gain acceptance as actual history and not just tales. Leif Ericssons bear on in exploring further west began with the stories he heard earlier from Bjarni Herjolfsson, who told Leif of the land he saw while going off course during his travel to Greenland. Leif Ericsson purchased the boat from Herjollllfsson and with a crew of 35, set sail to find he land he had heard about (Vesilind 2000).They found the new land to be an easier lifestyle, with easier winters and plentiful timber, lakes to fish and good land to farm. The land he named Vinland was referred to as Vinland the Good. Leif Ericssons brother Thorvald returned to Vinland in 1003 ands was killed during a drive with the native people. Leifs other brother sailed to Vinland in 1005, but dies in a storms while at sea. His sister, Freydis later went to Vinland with plans to set up a trade arrangement. She was less than honest with her partners and then had them murdered.She returned to Greenland and went unpunished, as her brother Leif was the leader of Greenland at the time (Vesilind 2000). Location The exact location of Vineland has not been established by archaeologists. The Viking stories talked about long days of mild weather and wild grapes. Artifacts from the Vikings have been found in a number of locations including Cape Cod and in Virginia. Newfoundland, in Canada has established the remnants of a Viking community but, Newfoundland does not have the teemingness of grapes growing wild.Some historian believe that Vineland was not actually named for grapes, but that vin had a different substance to the Vikings, possibly referring to grazing lands (Jones 2001). It has also been suggested that what the stories refer to, were not grapes, but possibly berries. However, research on the climate at that time show that though there are not wild grapes growing in New Foundland today, the climate up until the 17th century would have sustaine d wild grapes, and in fact did (Vesilind 2000).In the search by historians to determine where exactly the land known as Vineland was located, there was some skepticism that Vikings could have crossed the Atlantic Ocean in those days, with their ship technology. It is estimated that the voyage between Greenland and Vineland would have taken up to two weeks. However, findings of he historic ships in Norway give credibility to the idea that the Viking ships could withstand the journey (Vesilind 2000). In the 1950s, an historian named Munn provided an argument stating that the areas of LAnse-aux-Meadows in Newfoundland is the actual site of the Vikings Vinland.Fifty years later, archeological digs would confirm his theory with evidence in the way of Viking artifacts that confirm a settlement in that area. Helge Ingstadd was a Norwegian researcher who had dedicated much of his career to Viking explorations (Jones 2001). He completed the some thorough review of the Vinland Voyages availa ble and was meticulous in his research. Before coming to Newfoundland, he researched areas of Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia.When he determined that Newfoundland held the best possibility of being the actual Viking landing spot, he brought in an exploration party. Ingstadd mention some faint lines on the contours of land in that area that made curious about what might lie below (Fitzhugh 2000). Ingstad found the wall of a longhouse and other remnants during that first dig and then returned again a couple of years later to uncover more evidence. Helge Ingstad found the remnants of a Viking settlement in Newfoundland. He discovered proof that what stood on the ground around the year 1000 AD were superoxide dismutase longhouses.The houses did not have foundations, which led Ingstad to the conclusion hat they were meant as temporary structures rather than permanent housing. sensation of the houses contained evidence of an iron smith setup. Ingstads discovery also included e vidence that women had accompanied the Viking men on the voyages to Vinland as there were weaving tools used by women in that day. There have been redundant discoveries since the time of Helge Ingstads discovery that further support the Viking contact with North America long before Christopher Columbus.