We got a little excited when we read that tree ring data was used to determine the exact YEAR that the Vikings settled in North America. Specifically, scientists studied wooden artifacts found at the L’Anse aux Meadows settlement site in Newfoundland, Canada. The results of the analysis were published in Nature and the answer to the question? The Norse settlers arrived in 1021 C.E.

Wait, why is this a planetary science story? Ah, that’s the REALLY interesting bit. Within the tree rings are evidence for an extremely rare, once-in-a-thousand-years cosmic-ray event. That event showered Earth in high-energy particles back in 993 C.E. and caused a visible spike in the tree rings around the world because of the sudden increase in atmospheric carbon levels. By counting out from that spike in the rings of fir and juniper trees cut down by the Vikings, the researchers were able to pinpoint that exact year.

Understanding the places and times of the Norse settlement is a lovely rabbit hole we could go down for days, and we’ll link to the Smithsonian article that caught our attention in our show notes at DailySpace.org so that you can all fall down that rabbit hole with us.

More Information

New Dating Method Shows Vikings Occupied Newfoundland in 1021 C.E. (Smithsonian Magazine)

Solar storm confirms Vikings settled in North America exactly 1,000 years ago (The Guardian)

“Evidence for European presence in the Americas in AD 1021,” Margot Kuitems et al., 2021 October 20, Nature