The Vikings in Greenland

The Viking Age settlements in Greenland were established in the sheltered fjords of the southern and western coast. They settled in three separate areas along approximately 650 kilometers of the western coast. (See Map)

The Eastern Settlement, located at about 45 degrees West and 61 degrees North, was the largest. The remains of almost 450 farms have been identified in this area clustered in the sheltered areas of the inner fjords. Eric the Red settled at Brattahlid on Ericsfjord. Most of walls of the structures at Brattahlid that have been excavated are from a date later than the settlement period, but some of the foundations of the house may date from that time. A small turf church some distance from the farm had been identified as Tjodhild's church described in the Sagas.

A small area called the Middle Settlement was located at about 48 degrees West and 62 degrees North. This settlement area consisted of about 20 farms streched along the coast near modern Ivigtut.

The Western Settlement was centered around the present day Godthabsfjord at about 51 degrees West and 64 degrees North. Sandenes on the inner fjord area of the Western Settlement has been extensively excavated. Established before the twelfth century, it consists of stone and turf farm buildings with evidence that the interior was were covered with wooden boards. A wooden sheath used for holding iron shears was also found here.

A study of animal bones excavated from Viking Age farms shows that sheep, cattle and goats were all raised there. Seal and Caribou supplimented their diet.

The settlers found that the area to the north of the Western Settlement, called the Nordseta, was good for hunting, fishing and gathering driftwood. A stone inscribed with runes has been found telling that in 1333, three Greenlanders wintered on the island of Kingigtorssuaq just below 73 degrees north. There is also evidence of voyages to the Canadian arctic. Two cairns have been discovered in Jones Sound above 76 degrees North and two more have been found on Washington Irving Island at 79 degrees north.

Christianity was well established in Greenland. The Eastern Settlement had twelve churches scattered among its farms, including a cathederal at Gardar. For most of the settlement period, the church in Greenland had its own Bishop. In 1112 or 1113, Bishop Eirik is said to have sailed to Vinland, but the result of his voyage is not recorded.

References

Graham-Campbell, James, ed., Cultural Atlas of the Viking World , New York: Facts on File, 1994.

Jones, Gwyn; A History of the Vikings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1968.