Post by 150FromFundy on Oct 10, 2011 17:44:43 GMT -5
L’Anse Aux Meadows is on the northern tip Newfoundland within sight of Labrador. Although the peculiar features of L’Anse Aux Meadows where known to local fisherman for some time, it was not until the late 1960’s that L’Anse Aux Meadows was recognized as the first European settlement in North America. (Sorry Chris!) Archeological evidence dating back to about 1000 AD places the Norse (Vikings) here.
Photo 1 – L’Anse Aux Meadows
It’s a short walk in to the archeological site with a few stops along the way to watch a passing iceberg. Unlike the previous ‘flatties’ which broke off an ice sheet, this is a real iceberg that like the early Norse, drifted in from Greenland.
Photo 2 – Iceberg
This is a harsh environment of sparse vegetation on the Limestone Barren. The tallest Tuckamore Spruce is little more than waist high. There’s little to eat and the glaciers have robbed the land of any fertile soil. Beats Greenland though, because the Norse established and occupied a settlement for a number of years.
Photo 3 – L’Anse Aux Meadows
Based on archeological evidence and the recorded Sagas of the Norse, a replica village was recreated. Not sure why they needed a fence. Little to keep out and ineffective under 10 feet of snow in winter.
Photo 4 – Replica Norse Village
The archeological site (and replica village) contains 8 buildings constructed of sod. Well, actually it is spade cut sphagnum moss from the surrounding bogs. Ventilation and light ports ran along the building’s length.
Photo 5 – Replica Norse Building
The sod walls are about 4 feet thick providing the necessary structure to support the roof and the necessary insulation to survive in near Arctic conditions.
Photo 6 – Sod Walls
The accommodations were not all that bad inside as far as a fishing camp or hunting camp go. The locals go into character and portray early Norse daily activities. The only thing that gave them away was the t’ick Newfoundland accent beneath the guise.
Photo 7 – Norseman
So how did they keep those heavy sod roofs from collapsing under the weight of 10 feet of snow? The Engineer (and basket weaver) will appreciate this one. This is the ceiling inside the buildings.
Photo 8 – Ceiling Lattice
The Norse made use of local beach rock for a number of things. This one caught my eye as being quite clever. Anyone know what it is?
Photo 9 – Beach Rock
The next photo will make things a little clearer. When weaving, the lines must be kept under constant tension. Prior to elaborate frames and tensioning springs, gravity did the trick.
Photo 10 – Norse Loom
Of course you need a boat for getting around. There’s a little ice on the horizon.
Photo 11 - Norse Boat
You also need a little wood to get you through the winter. This is actually quite a challenge. Where do you get wood in a land of no trees? Wood probably had to be gathered from the beaches, or simply brought with you.
Photo 12 – Norse Wood Pile
The last photo is some Lichen which covers everything rock in many different colours.
Photo 13 – Lichen (The Destroyer of Rock)
Photo 1 – L’Anse Aux Meadows
It’s a short walk in to the archeological site with a few stops along the way to watch a passing iceberg. Unlike the previous ‘flatties’ which broke off an ice sheet, this is a real iceberg that like the early Norse, drifted in from Greenland.
Photo 2 – Iceberg
This is a harsh environment of sparse vegetation on the Limestone Barren. The tallest Tuckamore Spruce is little more than waist high. There’s little to eat and the glaciers have robbed the land of any fertile soil. Beats Greenland though, because the Norse established and occupied a settlement for a number of years.
Photo 3 – L’Anse Aux Meadows
Based on archeological evidence and the recorded Sagas of the Norse, a replica village was recreated. Not sure why they needed a fence. Little to keep out and ineffective under 10 feet of snow in winter.
Photo 4 – Replica Norse Village
The archeological site (and replica village) contains 8 buildings constructed of sod. Well, actually it is spade cut sphagnum moss from the surrounding bogs. Ventilation and light ports ran along the building’s length.
Photo 5 – Replica Norse Building
The sod walls are about 4 feet thick providing the necessary structure to support the roof and the necessary insulation to survive in near Arctic conditions.
Photo 6 – Sod Walls
The accommodations were not all that bad inside as far as a fishing camp or hunting camp go. The locals go into character and portray early Norse daily activities. The only thing that gave them away was the t’ick Newfoundland accent beneath the guise.
Photo 7 – Norseman
So how did they keep those heavy sod roofs from collapsing under the weight of 10 feet of snow? The Engineer (and basket weaver) will appreciate this one. This is the ceiling inside the buildings.
Photo 8 – Ceiling Lattice
The Norse made use of local beach rock for a number of things. This one caught my eye as being quite clever. Anyone know what it is?
Photo 9 – Beach Rock
The next photo will make things a little clearer. When weaving, the lines must be kept under constant tension. Prior to elaborate frames and tensioning springs, gravity did the trick.
Photo 10 – Norse Loom
Of course you need a boat for getting around. There’s a little ice on the horizon.
Photo 11 - Norse Boat
You also need a little wood to get you through the winter. This is actually quite a challenge. Where do you get wood in a land of no trees? Wood probably had to be gathered from the beaches, or simply brought with you.
Photo 12 – Norse Wood Pile
The last photo is some Lichen which covers everything rock in many different colours.
Photo 13 – Lichen (The Destroyer of Rock)
