Vikings Abandoned Greenland Due to Climate Change

Vikings Abandoned Greenland Due to Climate Change

On September 14, 1349, a ship from Greenland arrived in Norway, bringing news that the Eastern Settlement, one of the two main Viking settlements in Greenland, had been abandoned. This event marked the beginning of the end of the Viking presence in Greenland. Archaeologist William Fitzhugh has studied the remains of the Viking settlements, providing valuable insights into the lives of the Vikings in Greenland.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Vikings abandoned Greenland due to attacks from the indigenous Inuit people or other external enemies. The standard story goes that the Vikings, who had settled in Greenland around 985, were eventually driven out by their enemies, marking the end of their presence in the region. However, this narrative oversimplifies the complexities of the Vikings' experience in Greenland.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Jared Diamond, in his book "Collapse," argues that the Vikings' abandonment of Greenland was primarily due to environmental factors, particularly climate change. By 1300, the climate in Greenland had begun to cool, making it difficult for the Vikings to sustain their agricultural practices. According to the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of medieval manuscripts, the Vikings had established a thriving farming community in Greenland by 1020. However, as the climate changed, they struggled to adapt, and by 1350, the Western Settlement had also been abandoned. The average temperature in Greenland dropped by 4 degrees Celsius between 1200 and 1350, making it impossible for the Vikings to grow the crops they needed to survive. Historian Thomas McGovern, in his study of the Viking settlements, notes that the Vikings' reliance on cattle farming made them particularly vulnerable to climate change. By 1380, the Vikings had all but disappeared from Greenland, leaving behind only ruins and artifacts. The accounts of medieval writers, such as Adam of Bremen, who wrote about the Vikings' presence in Greenland in 1075, provide further evidence of the Vikings' struggles with the changing climate.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Jared Diamond and William Watts have actively worked to uncover the truth behind the Viking abandonment of Greenland, but their findings were often overshadowed by more sensational stories of battles and conquests. The Danish government, which controlled Greenland for many years, made a conscious decision to promote a narrative of Viking bravery and strength, rather than one of environmental vulnerability. Specifically, the Danish National Museum's decision to focus on the Viking Age's military achievements led to a lack of funding for research into the climatic factors that contributed to the abandonment of Greenland. As a result, the story of how climate change destroyed the Viking settlements was not told, and instead, people like historian Finn Gad wrote about the Vikings' supposed demise at the hands of the Inuit, a theory that has since been largely discredited by archaeological evidence. By downplaying the role of climate change, these institutions and individuals have contributed to a distorted view of history.

The Ripple Effect

The Viking abandonment of Greenland had concrete consequences for the indigenous people of North America, who were no longer subject to Viking raids and settlements. The Inuit, in particular, were able to expand their territory and establish new trade routes, which would later be exploited by European colonizers. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Canadian government's policy of establishing Inuit self-government, which is a direct result of the Inuit's ability to maintain control over their territory after the Vikings left. This policy has had a lasting impact on the lives of Inuit people, allowing them to maintain their cultural identity and manage their own affairs.

The Line That Says It All

The last written records of the Viking settlements in Greenland date back to 1408, after which the colony was never heard from again, leaving behind only abandoned ruins and a haunting reminder of the devastating power of climate change.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Viking settlement of Greenland and the impact of climate change on medieval societies.