Presents evidence of early Norse settlement in Greenland and North
America
- Explores in depth how Greenland and its surroundings were inhabited
for nearly 5 centuries by two Nordic colonies, Vestri-bygd and
Eystri-bygd
- Shares extensive evidence from the still-living indigenous oral
tradition of the Far North as well as surviving sculptural art to show
how the Vikings and the Inuit formed a harmonious community
- Examines ancient maps and other cartography, such as the 15th-century
Martin Behaim globe, as well as explorers' records of their voyages
Sharing his extensive and meticulous research, Jacques Privat reveals
that the Vikings were in Greenland, its neighboring islands, and the
eastern shores of Canada long before Columbus. He examines in depth how
Greenland and its surroundings were inhabited for nearly five centuries
by two Nordic colonies, Vestribygð and Eystribygð, which disappeared
mysteriously: one in 1342 and the other in the 16th century. Drawing on
the still-living indigenous oral tradition of the Far North, as well as
surviving sculptural art carvings, he shows how, far from being
constantly at odds with the native population, the Norsemen and the
Inuit formed a harmonious community. He reveals how this friendly
Inuit-Viking relationship encouraged the Scandinavian settlers to
forsake Christianity and return to their pagan roots.
Working with ancient European maps and other cartography, such as the
15th-century Martin Behaim globe, as well as explorers' records of their
voyages, the author examines the English, Irish, German, Danish,
Flemish, and Portuguese presence in the Far North. He explores how
Portugal dominated many seas and produced the first correct cartography
of Greenland as an island. He also reveals how Portugal may have been
behind the disappearance of the Vikings in Greenland by enslaving them
for their European plantations.
Dispelling once and for all the theories that the Inuit were responsible
for the failure of the Scandinavian colonies of the Far North, the
author reveals how, ultimately, the Church opted to cut all ties with
the settlements--rather than publicize that a formerly Christian people
had become pagan again. When the lands of the Far North were officially
"discovered" after the Middle Ages, the Norse colonies had vanished,
leaving behind only legends and mysterious ruins.
