e shape of Viking longhouses. More than a decade of archeological investigation at this site has proved conclusively that Vikings had built a settlement in North America sever centuries before Columbus, just as the sagas say. The evidence at the site also suggests that more southerly voyages might have taken place, and that other settlements might be found. Archeologists now theorize that L'Anse aux Meadows was also possibly a base camp, which afforded a way station for further explorations in North America.Excavations revealed a number of artifacts that are diagnostic of the Viking site. From 1961 until 1968, the Ingstad excavations uncovered Viking artifacts including a ringed pin, iron boat rivets, a soapstone spindle whorl, a whetstone, chain mail and most importantly a Viking coin. The coin was dated back to the early tenth century bearing the picture of the king at that time. There was also evidence of iron smelting and forging, and hearth charcoal is dated to A.D. 1000. The style and construction of the three longhouses and outbuildings are identical to 11th century Iceland and Greenland. The artifacts indicated weaving and iron-working, activities which were not practiced by Native Americans until after A.D. 1500. These finds confirm L'Anse aux Meadows as the earliest European settlement yet known in North America.There also have been stories that have been told by the Indians about white men with silver heads that brought destruction to their villages. These stories do not offer any physical evidence of the Norse settlement or events that took place, but they do indicate that Europeans were here before Columbus. The most logical explanation for men in shiny helmets may be the Norsemen. Scandinavian records have shown that several Vikings did see a new land west of Greenland and that King Magnus did send an expedition to the new land that never returned. Of course, the stories have lead many people to speculate on the ac...
