The name 'L'Anse aux Meadows' or 'Meadow Cove' originally thought to be French for 'L’Anse Aux Méduses' or in English, 'Jellyfish Cove'! But to call it 'Cove of Meadows' is quite apt also since it is flat with a lot of prairie grasses growing. For whatever reason the place is called L’Anse aux Meadows, one thing can be certain, L’Anse aux Meadows is where the New World began.
On a summer’s day around the year 1000, a substantial Viking expedition from Greenland landed on the shores of what is now called L’Anse Aux Meadows - a community located at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula in Western Newfoundland. Thought to be under the leadership of Leif Eiriksson, the group of between 70-90 people established an encampment that served as a base for exploring south throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over the next couple of decades, the Vikings would make a number of voyages to this region of the world that is thought to be what they called Vinland, mainly in search of hardwood lumber, which does not grow on Greenland. These trips would result in the first contact between Europeans and North American Aboriginal Peoples.
L'Anse aux Meadows was first brought to the attention of the world in 1960, thanks to Dr Helge Ingstad, an historian and explorer, and his wife Anne Ingstad, an archaeologist. The Norwegian couple were determined to prove the North American existence of the legendary site spoken of in the Norse Sagas. Their years of searching came to an end when they met George Decker, a local fisherman. He had noticed unusual grassy mounds in the area, the type the Ingstads were searching for. Twelve years of archaeological research followed, conducted first by the Ingstads, then by Parks Canada. Those grassy mounds turned out to be the remnants of eight, 11th century Norse buildings.
During their work in the 1960s and 70s, archaeologists uncovered remnants of iron production - an important early clue that Vikings had visited the site. L'Anse aux Meadows is thought to be the first place in North America where ore was smelted to produce iron.
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated L'Anse aux Meadows as a national historic site 1977 on the basis that it is the first know Viking site in North America, and provides the earliest evidence of Europeans in the western hemisphere; it contains extensive remains of the Viking presence; and finally the site's geographical features and strategic location on the Strait of Belle Isle contributed to the Vikings decision to select this site for their base camp.
In 1978, L'Anse aux Meadows was also designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), primarily due to what it tells us about the worldwide movement of peoples. This designation signals the site's importance as an international cultural resource, deserving protection for the benefit of humanity.
Now, early in the 21st century, Heritage Canada supports the re-enactment of the Norse village at L’Anse aux Meadows. Each summer, amateur actors, mostly from the area, dress the part and live the Viking life of 10 centuries ago. There is the chieftain Bjorn, the principal storyteller who weaves visitors to the site through wondrous tales of how the first Europeans would have lived in the area so long ago. Sit down on the rustic benches and beds and listen as he tells of his trade while he fashions himself a pair of shoes as the past chieftain might have done. Go to the next thatched hut and learn the secrets of navigation and shipbuilding from Gunnar and compare his woodworking tools with those of today. Watch Thora as she spins some fleece into wool thread and other textile arts, as she reveals her position within the Norse society. Ragnar, the blacksmith will talk to you beside his forge and anvil about how to turn soft bog ore into nails for boat repair.
Once you have seen what there is to be seen at the archeological site, wander over to the costumed re-enactment of the replica Viking port of trade at Norstead, as it may have looked during the Viking era (790-1066 AD). Join costumed interpreters in the dim light of the Viking-style Chieftain's Hall and listen to mysterious Viking tales. Watch the Check out info on the blacksmith forging iron. Step aboard the full-scale replica of the Viking ship Snorri, the 54 foot replica Viking knarr which sailed from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows in 1998 with a crew of only nine men. Learn how the Vikings mastered the North Atlantic. Use a simple notched stick to measure distance by the stars. Shape clay into pottery the way the Vikings did. Spin some sheep fleece into yarn using ancient drop spindle technology, dye the yarn bright purple, pink, or rusty yellow using local plants and berries, then weave it into cloth at the loom. There is also a chieftain's hall, church, and a workshop, with costumed interpreters who bring the site to life. All buildings, which consist of wood paneled walls and earthen floors, have been created to convey the look and feel of the Viking Era. Here is a museum where visitors are encouraged to touch the artifacts and learn by exploration.
Norstead, has won the “Provincial Attractions Canada” award for “Best New Attraction”, in the year marking the 1,000th anniversary of the Vikings' arrival in the New World. Events generated widespread media coverage and helped the site attract 28,000 visitors in its first season of operation. The aim of the site is to ensure that visitors have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Norse life, while having fun through an enriched travel experience.
The drive to L’Anse aux Meadows is certainly one of the breath-taking drives, with spectacular mountainous scenes combined with beautiful azure waters of the Strait of Belle Isle and the forested beauty of the conifer forests. While at L’Anse take in a traditional Newfie pub and listen to the Newfoundland music, if you should be so lucky.
On a summer’s day around the year 1000, a substantial Viking expedition from Greenland landed on the shores of what is now called L’Anse Aux Meadows - a community located at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula in Western Newfoundland. Thought to be under the leadership of Leif Eiriksson, the group of between 70-90 people established an encampment that served as a base for exploring south throughout the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over the next couple of decades, the Vikings would make a number of voyages to this region of the world that is thought to be what they called Vinland, mainly in search of hardwood lumber, which does not grow on Greenland. These trips would result in the first contact between Europeans and North American Aboriginal Peoples.
L'Anse aux Meadows was first brought to the attention of the world in 1960, thanks to Dr Helge Ingstad, an historian and explorer, and his wife Anne Ingstad, an archaeologist. The Norwegian couple were determined to prove the North American existence of the legendary site spoken of in the Norse Sagas. Their years of searching came to an end when they met George Decker, a local fisherman. He had noticed unusual grassy mounds in the area, the type the Ingstads were searching for. Twelve years of archaeological research followed, conducted first by the Ingstads, then by Parks Canada. Those grassy mounds turned out to be the remnants of eight, 11th century Norse buildings.
During their work in the 1960s and 70s, archaeologists uncovered remnants of iron production - an important early clue that Vikings had visited the site. L'Anse aux Meadows is thought to be the first place in North America where ore was smelted to produce iron.
The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated L'Anse aux Meadows as a national historic site 1977 on the basis that it is the first know Viking site in North America, and provides the earliest evidence of Europeans in the western hemisphere; it contains extensive remains of the Viking presence; and finally the site's geographical features and strategic location on the Strait of Belle Isle contributed to the Vikings decision to select this site for their base camp.
In 1978, L'Anse aux Meadows was also designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), primarily due to what it tells us about the worldwide movement of peoples. This designation signals the site's importance as an international cultural resource, deserving protection for the benefit of humanity.
Now, early in the 21st century, Heritage Canada supports the re-enactment of the Norse village at L’Anse aux Meadows. Each summer, amateur actors, mostly from the area, dress the part and live the Viking life of 10 centuries ago. There is the chieftain Bjorn, the principal storyteller who weaves visitors to the site through wondrous tales of how the first Europeans would have lived in the area so long ago. Sit down on the rustic benches and beds and listen as he tells of his trade while he fashions himself a pair of shoes as the past chieftain might have done. Go to the next thatched hut and learn the secrets of navigation and shipbuilding from Gunnar and compare his woodworking tools with those of today. Watch Thora as she spins some fleece into wool thread and other textile arts, as she reveals her position within the Norse society. Ragnar, the blacksmith will talk to you beside his forge and anvil about how to turn soft bog ore into nails for boat repair.
Once you have seen what there is to be seen at the archeological site, wander over to the costumed re-enactment of the replica Viking port of trade at Norstead, as it may have looked during the Viking era (790-1066 AD). Join costumed interpreters in the dim light of the Viking-style Chieftain's Hall and listen to mysterious Viking tales. Watch the Check out info on the blacksmith forging iron. Step aboard the full-scale replica of the Viking ship Snorri, the 54 foot replica Viking knarr which sailed from Greenland to L’Anse aux Meadows in 1998 with a crew of only nine men. Learn how the Vikings mastered the North Atlantic. Use a simple notched stick to measure distance by the stars. Shape clay into pottery the way the Vikings did. Spin some sheep fleece into yarn using ancient drop spindle technology, dye the yarn bright purple, pink, or rusty yellow using local plants and berries, then weave it into cloth at the loom. There is also a chieftain's hall, church, and a workshop, with costumed interpreters who bring the site to life. All buildings, which consist of wood paneled walls and earthen floors, have been created to convey the look and feel of the Viking Era. Here is a museum where visitors are encouraged to touch the artifacts and learn by exploration.
Norstead, has won the “Provincial Attractions Canada” award for “Best New Attraction”, in the year marking the 1,000th anniversary of the Vikings' arrival in the New World. Events generated widespread media coverage and helped the site attract 28,000 visitors in its first season of operation. The aim of the site is to ensure that visitors have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of Norse life, while having fun through an enriched travel experience.
The drive to L’Anse aux Meadows is certainly one of the breath-taking drives, with spectacular mountainous scenes combined with beautiful azure waters of the Strait of Belle Isle and the forested beauty of the conifer forests. While at L’Anse take in a traditional Newfie pub and listen to the Newfoundland music, if you should be so lucky.