Archaeologists Spot New Viking Settlement from Space

Recent satellite images sent from space may hold new clues to the presence of another Viking site in the Western Hemisphere, apart from L'Anse aux Meadows, the only known such site to date. The new findings could very well change or even rewrite the history of the Vikings. 

Infrared photos from space reveal the presence of a probable unearthed site located on Newfoundland's southwest coast. Archaeologists say these images were taken from above 400 miles in the sky. A study of the images by archaeologist Sarah Parcak, who pioneered the use of satellite imaging for archaeology, revealed a large mass of area with discolored soil and changed vegetation that hinted at the presence of something beneath the soil - possibly indicating ancient ironwork. Until now there has been no evidence of humans using iron in the area that correlates with the Viking time period. 

"Either it's an entirely new culture that looks exactly like the Norse," said Parcak, "or it's the westernmost Norse site that's ever been discovered." Either way, the discovery also leads to the notion that there could be even more such unknown sites spread across the said region. This means that Vikings had made an attempt to colonize the area long before Christopher Columbus arrived in North America.  

L'Anse aux Meadows, discovered about five decades ago, is the only known ancient Viking site in the Western Hemisphere. The 1,000 year old site was found to be a temporary settlement that probably served as a way station during Viking conquests. If a link is confirmed between the newly discovered site at Newfoundland and Vikings then more can be known about Norsemen and their foray into the Western Hemisphere. It would also give more insight into the general history of the Vikings, and in particular their techniques and way of living.