Viking evidence

Beginning in 1960, archaeological studies led by Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, uncovered the first physical evidence of a Norse presence in North America. Ingstad’s team unearthed remains of buildings similar to known Norse dwellings in Greenland and Norse artifacts from the time of Leif Ericson. Most archaeologists, however, do not think L’Anse aux Meadows is the spot Leif Ericson called Vinland. Leif made no maps of his voyage, and the sagas’ descriptions of the places he visited are vague. As a result, it is impossible to know for certain what route Ericson took or where he came ashore. Possible sites range from Canada’s Baffin Island to Mexico.