Friday, August 3, 2018

Photos

Happy Friday everyone. It's hot and humid today so I took an early walk and now I am back trying to cool off a bit. 
Today I thought I would show you some photos.
Shall we start with some Vikings in L'anse aux Meadow, Newfoundland. This is as far north on the main island you can go. It is beautiful but stark. 
We are standing on a rise and looking down to the archeological park. This is where the Viking made the first European settlement in North America and it is the only documented sight that they settled. Locals thought all the mounds had been Native American sites, but when dug, they discovered they were Viking sights. The big give away was finding bog iron (as the Native Americans didn't do any iron work and the Viking did) and well as a button and a weaving spindle top. Luckily those Vikings in Iceland kept historical records called the Sagas so there was written material to go back to trace when and who might have been here. (Even though the Sagas were written after Viking times.)
They believe this was more of a trading settlement rather than a permanent settlement. The Vikings came and left, but they believe they didn't leave in a hurry as they left very little remains behind which means they had time to pack up and clear out before they left.
 The sight is run by Parks Canada and is also a Unesco World Heritage Sight. In the archaeological area they built a Viking Longhouse which you could walk through and talk with people.
 This dragon head is part of the statue below. You can see the park visitor's center in the background. This statue is on the walkway down to the archeological site. On the right you can make out the dragon wings which stands for the Viking. On the left is a more abstract piece that stands for the Native Americans that lived in Newfoundland when the Vikings arrived. Each side is made by a different artist.
 The artist who made the Native American side used the shapes of certain animals. Here you can see the bluish lobster claw.
It was hard to photograph up close but there was an outline of a whale, fish, seal and a couple of animals within the art.
 And another statue at the entrance of the park. 
 All of the sites that contained Native American artifacts received this symbol on them. There were no Native Americans living here when the Viking arrived but they have lived here at other time periods.

Near the National Park is a Provincial Park called Norstead. It showed what life was like for the Vikings when they were here. I wasn't too certain how good it would be, but it  actually was quite informative. 
Yes, the Vikings brought women with them. I found this area interesting as it showed weaving, cooking and a kind of one needle knitting I want to try.
And this Viking ship was built in Maine and sailed here in 2000, which was the 1000 anniversary of the Vikings arriving in Newfoundland. 
Luckily it wasn't very crowded that day so we could really chat with the people working there and find out a lot of info.
And finally a few other views from L'Anse aux Meadows.





Have a wonderful weekend!

12 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

What a great trip you had. It looks so ruggedly beautiful. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos. Have a great weekend. We had 46° on the thermometer this morning! Hugs, Valerie

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Goodness Erika. This is SO informative. I am thrilled to be able to "follow" you around to these various places, and the beautiful photos you also share. I was really, really impressed with the archaeological site, as well as learning the Vikings brought women with them, which of course makes sense. I was even impressed with the Native American images. You found some of the most impressive areas on Newfoundland and I adore everything about this post.

Divers and Sundry said...

There aren't many Unesco World Heritage sites within easy reach from where I am. This trip you took would be exciting! To see where the Vikings were and how they lived during the time they were there would be an interesting experience. Thx for sharing the photos :)

CJ Kennedy said...

What a cool place! Love the sculptures and artwork.

froebelsternchen said...

Oh my gosh - such an interesting trip and the most impressive photos Erika! I love your travel photos always so much and those are specially intersting! Thanks for sharing!
Update : Liyongo:
We are just so happy - we got the results at the vet today that this cancer was a bening tumor. That are really good news.
Happy start of the weekend Erika!
Hugs, Susi

Meggymay said...

I have read this super post twice as well as looked at the amazing photos. It is the sort of destination I would like to visit, as I love delving into the history that makes us who we are.
Have a good weekend.
Yvonne xx

Astrid Maclean said...

We have just arrived in France and I finally have the chance to do some blog visiting!! Thanks for some great posts and amazing photos! Those vikings really did get around, - amazing if you think what their ships must have been like....

Super hot here too (and we are not used to it) plus no air con here either....

chrissie said...

Amazing things you saw on your trip. I love to see this sort thing that depicts history and the wonderful scilptures as well

Thank you for commenting on my blog

Love Chrissie xx

Let's Art Journal said...

I so enjoyed visiting the Viking Settlement with you 😁. The sculptures, Viking ships and landscape look so amazing! It must have been a fascinating place and great that it was quiet so you could find out a lot of info 😀. Wishing you a wonderful weekend too! J 😊 x

Barbara said...

So informative, thank you! My husband was stationed there in the 50s, so I was very interested in your photos. Btw, thank you for commenting on my cotton plants. I don’t know how tall they should get, and they will have to brought inside to avoid cold weather, so I just hope they survive that. I’m stumped about a comment only being left if others have commented first. Good luck!

craftytrog said...

Great photos Erika, and I loved reading about the Viking settlement, so interesting! It's a place I would love to visit, and the art is wonderful too!
Happy weekend,
Alison xxx

Jeanie said...

THis is totally fascinating. Those Native American sculptural elements are stunning and the Viking settlement sounds so intriguing. This is something I know I'd love to do. It's stunning countryside, isn't it? I have to say, it's quite the holiday you had -- and a feast for the eyes in a nature way. I love every bit of it.