Sunday, October 18, 2020

Vikings

 The first confirmed contact between outsiders and the First Nations of the Americas was that of the Vikings, the Norsemen who made their way gradually west, established a settlement for a few years a thousand years ago, and withdrew after a time. L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland is that settlement, but there are other traces of the Vikings throughout the Arctic, and no doubt other places along the northeast coast still waiting to be found. The Museum examines this period.


Others would follow, centuries later. The French and English launched expeditions into North America in the late 15th century and early 16th century. Along with them would come fishing ships, taking in the bounty of the Grand Banks. This is a model of a ship called the San Juan de Pasajes.


This is inscribed on a wall, a warning of the past, as the First Nations peoples of a continent would be forced to deal with newcomers who would change their whole way of being, and often for the worst.

34 comments:

  1. I only recently heard that Vikings found their way to Canada. Interesting that they withdrew at some stage.

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  2. Yes, mostly always for the worst...

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  3. ...this is something that I know very little about.

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  4. Hello,

    Great exhibit, they had warnings, something/someone is coming.
    I like the model of the ship!

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  5. Neat photos and display.
    Third generation Newfoundlander here.

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  6. Newfoundland is the only province I have not visited, but if ever I make it there, l'Anse aux Meadows will be high on the list of places to visit.

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  7. @Joan: it's been common knowledge here for many years.

    @Iris: definitely.

    @Tom: I'm somewhat familiar.

    @Eileen: thank you!

    @Maywyn: thanks!

    @David: I haven't seen the Rock either.

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  8. Love that L’anse aux Meadows site.

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  9. Hi William, you've made this part of history much clearer for me. I, too, love the exhibit with the ship my favorite. Thanks for the interesting post. Jo

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  10. It's hard to imagine what it must have been like for those early explorers.

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  11. I find the information and speculation on Viking activities here rather fascinating.

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  12. The Vikings were brave adventurers and have left their mark all across the North Atlantic countries. I think many of us might have a little bit of Viking in our DNA from many many years back.

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  13. I have seen the Vasa in Stockholm very interesting too ! It sank immediately because it was so heavily decorated !

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  14. And still, there is so much we don't know!

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  15. Those Vikings sure got around didn't they, the French and English also!

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  16. Viking history is always fascinating and always great photos ~ Happy Sunday to you ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  17. The ship’s model is beautifully detailed.

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  18. A wonderful exhibition and history lesson.

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  19. @Jan: it is.

    @Marie: I'd love to see it.

    @Jo: thank you.

    @Sharon: it would be.

    @Red: me too.

    @Shammickite: no doubt.

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  20. @Gattina: I'd like to see that.

    @Italiafinlandia: definitely.

    @Jennifer: true.

    @Grace: they did.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @Marleen: it is.

    @Bill: thanks!

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  21. "Progress" needn't have been so ruthless.

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  22. The Viking are much more than we think they are.

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  23. Interesting. Have you been to L'Anse aux Meadows?

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  24. The model of the ship is exquisite.

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  25. Interesting you found this.I know much about it.Well done😊

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  26. I do like the model of the ship ...

    All the best Jan

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