The Norse at L’Anse aux Meadows / Vinland

Summative questions

Respond to the following questions in light of both the archaeological and the saga evidence.

1. Broadly speaking, where was Vinland and what were the Norse doing there?  Assess Aboriginal-Norse relations in light of what you know about Norse motives for exploration.
2. Assess the quality of the evidence at our disposal for studying the Norse experience in North America.  Indicate some of the general limitations of the data (archaeological and saga) and suggest specific instances in which they might they might distort or bias our interpretations.
3. Using facts to support your interpretations, how would you characterize the function(s) of the settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows, and how might this archaeological site relate to the events described in the sagas?
4. Speculate as to the length of occupation and the nature of the abandonment of L’Anse aux Meadows.  Was the Norse experience in North America an insignificant historical footnote or a matter of great historical significance?  Choose your point of view and defend it.