Age of Settlement

Age of Settlement
Name	Age of Settlement
Start	c. 9th century
End	c. 11th century
Preceded by	Viking Age
Followed by	High Middle Ages

Age of Settlement. This period, spanning roughly from the late 9th to the 11th century, denotes a major phase of Norse expansion and colonization across the North Atlantic. It is most famously associated with the permanent Norse settlement of previously uninhabited or sparsely populated lands, fundamentally altering the demographic and cultural landscape of the region. The era is defined by epic sea voyages from Scandinavia and existing Norse territories to new frontiers, driven by a combination of exploration, resource acquisition, and political change.

Definition and scope

The term specifically refers to the Norse colonization of the North Atlantic, with its core achievements being the discovery and settlement of Iceland, Greenland, and fleeting attempts in Vinland, part of North America. Geographically, it extends from the British Isles and the Faroe Islands across the open ocean to the shores of Newfoundland. Temporally, it follows the initial raiding and trading phase of the Viking Age, transitioning into a period of sustained migration and community building. The scope is distinguished from earlier Norse activity by its focus on establishing permanent, agrarian-based societies rather than temporary camps or trading posts.

Historical context

This era was precipitated by several factors within Scandinavia, including population pressure, political consolidation under kings like Harald Fairhair, and the search for new land and resources. It was enabled by advanced maritime technology, particularly the versatile longship. The settlements often extended from existing Norse footholds, such as those in the Kingdom of the Isles and Normandy. Contemporary accounts were later preserved in medieval texts like the Íslendingabók and the Landnámabók, which, while compiled centuries later, provide a narrative framework. The period also occurred alongside continued Norse influence in regions like the Danelaw and interactions with the Gaels of Ireland and Scotland.

Major settlements and regions

The settlement of Iceland, traditionally dated to the voyage of Ingólfr Arnarson around 874, represents the period's cornerstone, leading to the establishment of the Althing. This was followed by Erik the Red's exploration and colonization of Greenland, founding the Eastern Settlement and Western Settlement. The most distant venture was the brief Norse presence in North America, as recorded in the Sagas of Icelanders and confirmed archaeologically at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. Other key regions included the consolidation of Norse life in the Faroe Islands and continued settlement in the Orkney and Shetland islands.

Cultural and societal impact

The migrations led to the transfer of Old Norse language, Norse mythology, and legal traditions to new lands, where they evolved uniquely, as seen in the development of the Icelandic Commonwealth. The settlers brought a pastoral economy centered on cattle and sheep, alongside the cultivation of barley. This period also saw the beginning of the conversion to Christianity, a process documented in texts like the Íslendingabók by Ari Þorgilsson. The societal structure, initially led by chieftains called goði, laid the groundwork for later literary flourishing, including the composition of the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda.

Archaeological evidence

Material culture from this period is extensive, including the iconic longhouse dwellings found at sites like Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng in Iceland and Brattahlíð in Greenland. Excavations at L'Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provided definitive proof of pre-Columbian Norse activity in the Americas. Artefacts such as soapstone spindle whorls, Norse pagan amulets, and iron tools illustrate daily life and technology. Environmental archaeology, including studies of Icelandic turf house construction and soil layers, helps chart the timing and environmental impact of the landnám, or land-taking.

End of the period and legacy

The period concluded as the viable frontiers for new settlement were exhausted and external conditions worsened. The Little Ice Age is often cited as a factor in the decline and eventual abandonment of the Greenland Norse settlements by the 15th century. The legacy, however, endured profoundly in Iceland, which maintained a continuous Norse-derived culture and language. The voyages also entered the realm of historical legend, influencing later explorers like Christopher Columbus. Today, the period is central to the national identities of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, and its study remains a vital part of medieval archaeology and Atlantic history.

Category:Historical eras Category:Norse exploration Category:Medieval Scandinavia