Gokstad ship, built in Norway around 900 AD, was found preserved in a mound of clay that it had been buried in (Sawyer pg. 213). Contrary to popular belief, it is obvious that the Vikings did not just send their dead off in fiery vessels. There are many grave areas that have rocks in the shape of boats, marking the final resting place of the body. It was the Pagan practice to bury women in costume with their jewelry. Men were usually buried with weapons or tools, depending on their occupation (British Museum of Art pg. 94). A person with status in society would be buried with their most treasured possessions to travel with them to the afterworld. Therefore, the unburned bodies, buried in the ground, are a wealth of information.One of the most intriguing finds to scholars is the Vinland map (Newbegin). It is rumoured that Erik the Red’s son was to have wintered in America. This particular map shows the unmistakable coastline of North–eastern America. The map is dated before 1440, and if authentic could throw a whole new light on the discovery of America. This is what some researchers are trying to prove. Thomas Cahill of the University of California at Davis, performed several tests on the map. Cahill was testing the properties of the ink, and concluded that it could indeed have medieval origins. He says, “The Vinland Map does not in any way stand out from the 150 medieval documents already analyzed at UC Davis.” There is one questionable fact about the map; it has two different kinds of ink. The map itself is all drawn in one kind, therefore Cahill is convinced of the authenticity. Currently, scientists are carbon dating the map. No formal announcement has been made, although several people at the Yale University Press conference have said that the date of the parchment is comparable with the date in question (Newbegin)....
