A fascinating new study suggests that Viking Age Norse people may have encountered Indigenous Americans centuries before Christopher Columbus made his infamous voyage.
Recent research indicates that these Norse explorers, driven by a desire for walrus ivory, ventured into remote Arctic hunting grounds, possibly leading to interactions with Indigenous peoples of North America.
The Quest for Walrus Ivory
In medieval Europe, walrus ivory was a highly sought-after commodity. The Norse expanded their reach across the North Atlantic, establishing settlements in Iceland and Greenland while seeking out this prized resource.
However, the exact sources of the traded ivory remained a mystery—until now.
Key Findings of the Study
A study published in Science Advances employed high-resolution genetic sourcing methods to trace the origins of walrus ivory imported into Europe from Greenland. Here are the pivotal findings:
- Specific Hunting Grounds Identified: The research pinpointed harvesting areas in the North Water Polynya, located between Greenland and Canada, and potentially in the Canadian Arctic.
- Remote Locations: These areas are significantly beyond what was traditionally associated with Norse ivory harvesting, indicating a broader scope of exploration.
Evidence of Encounters
This study supports the idea that the Norse may have encountered Indigenous peoples while hunting walrus in these remote regions. According to Peter Jordan, a senior author of the study from Lund University in Sweden, the implications of this research are groundbreaking.
Important Insights
- Cultural Exchange: The Norse likely encountered and possibly traded with Indigenous cultures, particularly the Thule Inuit, ancestors of modern-day Inuit in Canada and Greenland.
- Complex Relationships: The study suggests that the relationship between European Norse and Arctic Indigenous peoples was more intricate than previously understood.
Emily Ruiz-Puerta, the lead author, noted, “Although further studies are needed, it hints at potential trade interactions centered around the walrus ivory trade.”
The Bigger Picture: An Arctic Ivory Road
This research offers a new perspective on globalization during the Viking Age. Traditionally, discussions have centred around the Silk Road and its influence on trade in Europe.
Arctic Ivory Road
- Existence of Trade Networks: The findings suggest the existence of an “Arctic Ivory Road” connecting North America with European trade networks, long before the 15th-century colonization.
- Long-Distance Voyages: The Vikings likely undertook long voyages—around 6,000 kilometers (approximately 3,700 miles)—to remote hunting grounds, driven by the quest for walrus ivory.
Methodology of the Study
The researchers used innovative techniques to match ancient DNA from walrus skull fragments found in European trade centres with specific Arctic walrus populations.
How It Worked
- Genetic Fingerprinting: By extracting ancient DNA from walrus samples across the North Atlantic Arctic, they matched genetic profiles of walrus artifacts traded by Greenland Norse back to specific Arctic hunting grounds.
- Uncovering New Histories: This method has opened up avenues for understanding past human interactions and trade routes that may have existed.
Conclusion: Reassessing Historical Narratives
The possibility that Vikings encountered Indigenous peoples adds a new layer to our understanding of the Viking Age and its impact on global interactions.
While this study does not provide definitive proof of direct contact, it offers compelling evidence that both groups occupied overlapping regions while pursuing the same resource: walrus ivory.
This suggests that early globalization may have been more complex than previously acknowledged, bridging connections across vast distances and cultures.
