Abstract

Using GIS to Explore for Vinland
Track: Archaeology
Authors: Scott Thurston

The Viking Sagas describe a successful exploration of the American coast 1,000 years ago. Geospatial tools were used to identify plausible locations for Vinland, the reported Viking settlement, based on these descriptions. Geographical characteristics of the sites were compared to the characteristics of L'Anse aux Meadows, the known Viking settlement. Discrepancies between the sagas and the known site are significant, suggesting that there may be a second unidentified site. Environment, habitats, sailing considerations and coastal shoreline were evaluated to locate likely candidates for a second settlement location. These were sorted, and ranked to identify possible future excavation sites.