Leif Eriksson and the Vikings (at home)

According to both historical accounts and archaeological evidence uncovered in the 1960s, many scholars now believe that Viking explorer Leif Eriksson reached North America circa 1000 A.D. — which may have made him the first European to ever set foot in the New World.

But who was Leif Erikson and did he truly reach North America 500 years before Columbus?  Watch the video.

Leif Eriksson - The First European in North America.mp4

Most of the information we have on Leif Eriksson comes from Viking sagas that have been told and retold for over a thousand years.  These stories are certainly embellished but are based on real events.  While these accounts were written down more than 200 years after the events happened, the documents do suggest that these events did occur. They were probably mentioned in stories that were passed down orally, and they most likely referred to real people and actual incidents.

Perhaps the strongest evidence is that the archaeological remains of a Norse settlement were unearthed at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland in the 1960s. These remnants were right where the stories said the Vikings had settled.

Take the quiz to learn the Saga of Leif Eriksson.  The pictures and story are from the book Leif's Saga by Jonathan Hunt.