Vinland Blog 2024
Introduction
I have always been interested in the Vikings, especially their visits to North America and the encounters with the natives (Skraelings). As if to spur this on, I was commissioned to build a model of a Viking Longship for our Local Scandinavian Cultural Center. Near the same time I obtained a copy of the book Westviking by Farley Mowat (1965) and after reading it, decided to take a vacation to Newfoundland where L' Anse Aux Meadows, the only verified Norse site in North America is located. What I learned in Newfoundland and the subsequent results of my research is remarkable.
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Probability Factor
PF1. Not likely. Prove to me that it is.
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| A photograph of Mound City at Chillicothe, Ohio. |
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| Mound City along the Scioto River (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Copper chisels found in Mound #3 at Mound City (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| A manatee effigy pipe from Mound #8 at Mound City (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Anybody want to play Hungry Hungry Hippo? (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Effigy pipe of a bearded European face found at Mound City (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Illustration of grave at Mound #18, Mound City (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Picture A: Maine Coon Cat or Norwegian Forest Cat? |
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| Picture B: Maine Coon Cat or Norwegian Forest Cat? |
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| Sheffield, Ohio fortified enclosure now a playground (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Serpent or horse? Effigy pipe from Wood County, West Virginia. (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| An old view of the Horse Creek, West Virginia petroglyphs |
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| Fortifications at Independence, Ohio (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Ogam petroglyphs in Wyoming County, West Virginia |
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| Skull from a mound in the Scioto Valley (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Front and top view of the same skull (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| Fortified area at Conneasult, Ohio (Illustration from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley 1848) |
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| A map of the mounds at Serpent Mound Provincial Park, Ontario |
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| A 360 degree view of the Petroglyphs in Prince Edward County, Ontario |
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| Another of the Petroglyphs in Prince Edward County, Ontario |
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| A closer photograph. Note the serpent head ship with paddle rudder at the left of the photo. Can the figure at upper right be a Viking with a conical helmet and axe, the strange suitcase shaped item at his feet a Mjolnir? |
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| Artist’s interpretation of what Maiden Castle may have looked like during the Iron Age (BBC) |
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| Danebury Hillfort in Hampshire has been subject to intensive archaeological excavations since the 1970s (Wikimedia Commons) |
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| The Iron Age hillfort of Maiden Castle (DK Findout) |
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| An artist’s interpretation of what daily life within Dudsbury Hillfort in Dorset may have looked like. Tall ramparts and wooden walls would have been a common feature across many hillforts (Kenning Illustration) |
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"When analyzing the various uses of hillforts, it is important to remember that only a tiny fraction of known hillforts have been excavated, and in some cases, no archaeological work has been completed at all. This makes it difficult and hazardous to create narratives surrounding their use when applied to other examples in different areas. Despite this, however, it would appear that the hillforts and oppida considered in this article all performed a wide range of functions that cannot be tied down into a single idea."
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| The ramparts of the Penycloddiau hillfort in Wales’ Clwydian Range enclose about 60 acres, making it the largest such site in Wales. (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales) |
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| A wall built around the Andorsrud fort in Øvre Eiker in Buskerud, Norway. (Kristine Friis Jørgensen) |
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| Iru Fort, Estonia, 1924 |
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| Fyrkat Viking Trelleborg could house roughly 20 longhouses within. One interesting Viking excavation in Fyrkat was the grave of a woman assumed to be a Viking seeress. |
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| This map roughly indicates the locations covered in the Central portion of this blog. |
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| The axe discovered in Brantford, Ontario in 1907. (Holand) |
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| A 'Palstaff' at the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. |
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| A reproduction complete 'Palstaff' at the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures. |
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| Illustration of the Hamilton axe.(Curran) |
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| A modern fireman's axe. |
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| Early photograph of the Sodus Bay Spearpoint (Holand) |
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| The Sodus Bay Spearpoint on display. (Museum of Wayne County History) |
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| A comparison of Norse spearheads from old world sites: Saaremaa Stray find 11th-12th century. |
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| A comparison of Norse spearheads from old world sites: Tuula Grave find 11th-12th century. |
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| A comparison of Norse spearheads from old world sites: Finland Luistari Grave find, grave 348. Found with an X type sword, a long knife and a shorter spearhead 10th century. |
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| A comparison of Norse spearheads from old world sites: London stray river find 11th century. |
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January 15
Vinland Vignette
We start the new year with a couple interesting links, then a commentary on history before continuing with Central.
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History Through Legend
Can the history of this planet be told through many of the ancients texts and legends that have been handed down to us?
I am going to specifically refer to the Bible, the Torah and the Q'ran in this article although I will make references to other texts and legends.
Although the entire creation myth from void to a fully populated earth only takes 7 days, remarkably the general order is in accordance with evolution and what we know of how this earth was formed. On day one we have the big bang theory science now contends with and we have man making his appearance on the last days. There are time inconsistencies however. In Genesis a day would take a billion years. Many of the characters mentioned such as Adam, Noah and Methuselah are said to have lived for centuries. Perhaps the concept of infinity and how long it takes for things to evolve was something our ancient ancestors had difficulty in comprehending. Maybe chroniclers advanced lifespans to make up for generations and generations of non event. All in all, if we discard the time factor, it is nevertheless astounding at just how close ancient texts and scientific data progress together. We also must discard the guilt factor. Because of man's misdeeds bad things happen. This is a most common ancient explanation of why major historical disasters happen.
Man and woman were created by an unknown or divine power. Many researchers are now considering a star seed theory.
Regardless, man was given a Utopia, a fresh unsullied earth that our hunter gatherer ancestors existed upon. Because of our use of forbidden knowledge, corrupted by a serpent named as the epitomy of evil, we were cast from the garden. Ancient serpent worship was considered one of the first religions of man. Caves in South Africa show ceremonies at 50,000 years ago. It is natural that early man first worshipped animal deities and in fact this is still the case in some cultures today.
Knowledge caused man's exile from the garden given to him. That is a simple parable of how from simple life man has advanced(?) to the complications and aggravations of living today.
We have Cain and Abel. An introduction of violence where brother pits himself against brother but Cain's exile also gives more reason for the migrations of people across the Earth. (As does the later tower of Babel).
Noah and the Ark tell the myth of the wipeout of an earlier civilization of man and how the few survivors repopulated the Earth. There are many other cultures worldwide that also affirm this disaster. A documentary studied a Sumerian legend about a man and his family who travel with a great flood until he finally finds land. His account was examined in detail and everything from boat dimensions to locations were found to be entirely feasible. The Great Flood also exists in numerous accounts from numerous other cultures.
The cataclysm of the Great Flood can now be dated to circa 9500 BCE. Whether this was caused by the retreat of the last ice age with glaciers melting and releasing vast inland seas or by a comet passing nearby the earth or hitting it is presently the theories being examined. Scientifically, the gravitational change of a close call comet could cause "waters to spew from the earth" and create atmospheric changes which would result in a "deluge".
Discoveries of ancient underwater structures have been occurring for some time now. There is the huge block pyramid near Japan, the paved road between India and Ceylon, numerous monoliths and henges. The recent discovery of Doggerland between Great Britain and Denmark has been likened to have sunk beneath the waves like Atlantis.
Another footprint of a pre ice age civilization is the megalithic polymer structures that are found everywhere. A prime example is the H blocks at Puma Punka in Peru and several other Meso American sites. An analysis of some of these stones show biological material within them. Some claim this proves the concrete theory. Others say the stones were melted with acoustics or solvents so they could be cut like butter.
Not only the Romans and Greeks but many other historical civilizations built on top of these earlier links in the history of man including some of the structures we are currently looking at in the Ohio Valley.
Not only are the clues found extensively throughout the world but there are many here in North America as far north as Edmonton and as close to home as the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan.
Sceptics ask if this is the case, then why is there not more evidence and in response is the suggestion that most traces would have been buried under the sediment of huge mud slides that eliminated traces of this unknown people similar to the way ash buried Pompei, only on a much larger scale.
We thought Gobekli Tepi was history shattering at 7500 BCE and then Karahan Tepi came out at 9500 BCE. More searching has discovered dozens of sites, an entire culture that existed in this area thousands of years before the emergence of the Sumerians or the Egyptians. Quite amazing that all this takes place south of Mount Ararat, where in biblical records Noah landed and the reblossoming of civilization took place.
We must take a slight diversion from scriptures to look at Greek historians and the legend of Atlantis, which was once thought to be related to the Great Flood. This was a highly advanced civilization known for seagoing trade. The most likely candidate is considered to be the Greek island of Theros, which fits descriptions perfectly right down to a detailed description of it's harbour. It perished in a volcanic eruption around 1500 BCE. At this time Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in a rain of fire, now considered to be fallout from this eruption.
Looking at Moses, around the same time period, the plagues that beset Egypt have been scientifically explained as has the burning bush of Mount Sinai, an active volcano. The parting of a certain area of the Red Sea may have actually happened based on recent studies of winds and currents.
More recent diatribes examine in detail the historical references to Jesus.
In summary, why should these texts, revered by millions, not be considered as historically accurate as any other adopted records?
What has all this got to do with Vikings you ask?
First, a warning. When you research something, invariably there are other tangents that must be examined that force one to delve deeper into related subjects. One literally gets stuck in the past. My bad. Secondly, we must allow more credibility to the past. All the footprints that we have in the form of legends, records, oral histories (Viking!), art, song and poetry (don't let me get into Troy). Lastly, a major rewrite of history is long past due and I hope this blog will play a small part when the true story of the Vikings in North America is presented correctly.
Now, on to more serious stuff...
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I am once again posting the link to Squier and Davis' survey as it is quite a critical reference to this part of the blog. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file. Although many of the sites are posted in the photo section here, there are many more illustrated in their survey and this work can be used to compare with geographical locations:
Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley
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Chillicothe, Ohio
Mound City 1846
Copper chisels
Copper axes
Effigy pipes
Human remains
Just north of Chillicothe, Ohio is Mound City, one of the more spectacular of the ancient mound builder's sites. It was surveyed by Squier and Davis in 1846 who dug a number of the mounds. Although primarily a native site, some of the mounds contained very interesting or unusual items. Squier himself, who had a strong pro Christopher Columbus mindset, referenced that the burial methods here were 'analogous' to Celtic barrows.
Mound #3 was a grave mound. It contained a number of well constructed copper chisels.
Mound #7 was also a grave mound. This one revealed a number of copper axes. Seven feet into the mound were found 2 copper axes weighing 2 pounds each with lengths of 6" and 7" respectively. Then at subsequent depths of 1 foot, three more axes were found. At the bottom of the mound was a mica layer shaped like a crescent moon and a skeleton.
Mound #8 was an offering mound that contained among other items, a remarkable 200 effigy pipes. There were numerous bird and animal pipes. There were even some zoomorphic and human pipes.
Quite interesting were some that displayed very exotic birds and animals that were definitely NOT from the area. Their accuracy indicates the carver must have actually seen these animal. Toucans and other tropical birds have been identified as well as a manatee, otherwise known as a sea cow, an animal that only inhabits waters southward of Florida. One intriguing pipe reminds me very much of the old child's game 'Hungry Hungry Hippo'.
But by far the most definitive of the pipes has to be the one that features a bearded European face.
Mound #18 is another grave mound but this one is interesting because the skeleton at the base of the mound was laid on a bed of cobblestones 4' x 6'. Instead of being laid vertical the body was laid diagonally to fit, making this ancient over 7' in height. The skull was reportedly 'large and massive'. It's presence is currently unknown.
(I am waiting for the day the Smithsonian pulls a massive 'reveal')
This site is well preserved today as the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park.
Geographical location: 39.379, -83.006
PF 3-4
February 15
Here is one for the cat lovers out there. There is not much that really needs to be said. Enjoy the pictures.
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Norwalk. Ohio
Fortifications 1850
This was a complex with three hilltop enclosures and some mounds. Reported by Charles Whittlesey in 1850 from earlier surveys. It is now replaced with residential and roads.
Geographical location: 41.225, -82.644
PF 3
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Granville, Ohio
Fortifications 1847
Surveyed by Squier and Davis in 1847, it's unique shape can no longer be identified based on old records but Infirmary Mound Park seems to be in the described area.
Geographical location: 40.026, -82.516
PF 3
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Sheffield, Ohio
Fortified Enclosure 1840
Reported by Charles Whittlesey in 1850 from earlier surveys. The soil was much richer on the inside of the enclosure than without possibly indicating this to be nothing more than a protected or walled garden. It is now replaced with residential.
Geographical location: 41.461, -82.123
PF 2-3
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Sheffield, Ohio
Fortified Enclosure 1840
Reported by Charles Whittlesey in 1850 from earlier surveys. The soil was much richer on the inside of the enclosure than without possibly indicating this to be nothing more than a protected or walled garden. Geolocated by topography, this area is now a park with a trail and a playground.
Geographical location: 41.461, -82.094
PF 2-3
March 15
Maine Coon Cat vs Norwegian Forest Cat
From last month, picture A is a Norwegian Forest Cat while picture B is a Maine Coon Cat.
One of the major theories that is generally accepted is that skoggkats were taken on board Viking ships to take care of rodents. When arriving in the New England area they came off the ships and bred with animals native to North America. Also, genetic testing has indicated that the Maine Coon is a descendent of the Norwegian Forest Cat and an unknown (possibly extinct) local American breed of wildcat.
(Remember the Danish Sheepdogs in Peru?)
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Wood County, West Virginia
Effigy Pipe ca1840
This baked clay effigy pipe was plowed up in a field across from the mouth of the Hocking River where many mounds were purported to have been. It is most unusual in its design, being sinuous and terminating in what appears to be a horse or serpent head.
Geographical location: 39.177, -81.749
PF 3
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Horse Creek, West Virginia
Ogam Inscription pre 1983
These are also known as the Lynco, Lillyhaven or Luther Elkins petroglyphs.
Although known much earlier, information and a translation by Dr. Barry Fell were published in 1983. It is believed dating of this site to be in the area of CE 600-700.
Since then quite a serious debate has been raging as to whether these markings are Ogam or done by the local inhabitants. On the pro side is the University of California, Riverside while with the con viewpoint is the Council for West Virginia Archaeology
One can view both arguments and make their own decision by looking at these sites. Incidentally, following links from the University of California website will turn up a plethora of articles on PCE visitations.
Geographical location: 37.698, -81.677
PF 3
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Independence, Ohio
Fortifications 1816
Reported by Charles Whittlesey in 1850 from surveys sometime before the beginning of construction of the Erie Canal in 1816, this was three miles southeast of Cleveland. Now it is part of the city and replaced by freeway.
Geographical location: 41.417, -81.642
PF 3
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Wyoming County, West Virginia
Ogam Inscription 1981
Human Remains 1989
Known as the Cook Petroglyph, this panel is eight feet high and twenty feet long. It was discovered by archaeologist Robert L. Pyle in 1981. Here is a link that provides full details: Ogam Inscription
A phase two investgation of this site in 1989 turned up a skeleton in a nearby hollow. The skull was preserved and experts determined it to be of European origin. (Unfortunately Uncle Adolph did more harm than good with his twisted views on Phrenology.) This should be at the Wyoming County Historical Museum.
Later testing of the teeth confirmed this with carbon dating at CE 710 +/-40.
Here is a link that provides full details on the bones: Petroglyphman
Geographical location: 37.692,-81.633
PF 4
April 15
Valley View, Ohio
Fortifications 1846
These walls once overlooked the Cuyahoga River and the Ohio Canal. They are now completely replaced by residential. First catalogued by Squier and Davis in 1848.
Geographical location: 41.379, -81.608
PF 3
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Independence, Ohio
Fortifications 1848
These have been replaced by residential. First catalogued by Squier and Davis in 1848.
Geographical location: 41.352, -81.606
PF 3
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Bedford, Ohio
Fortifications
Just over a mile east of the Valley View fortifications overlooking Tinkers Creek is what is known as the Indian Point Fort. A YouTube video shows unhewn stone walls.
It is currently preserved as part of the Bedford Reservation.
Geographical location: 41.378, -81.568
PF 3
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Mount Carbon, West Virginia
Fortifications 1850
It was reported that Armstrong Mountain featured a Stone wall and two round towers. Nearby burial mounds contained seated figures. This site was known before 1850.
Geographical location: 38.137, -81.294
PF 3
May 15
Conneaut, Ohio
Fortifications pre 1850
This fortified hilltop in Kingsville Township was reported by Charles Whittlesey in 1850 from earlier surveys. Geolocated by topography. It now has Interstate 90 running through it.
Geographical location: 41.893, -80.644
PF 3
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Monongahela River, West Virginia
Paved Stone Road
This road was reported to run twelve miles between Tygart Valley and Catawba in a north south direction. No further information is available at this time.
Geographical location of Tygart Valley: 39.393, -80.262
Geographical location of Catawba: 39.528, -80.077
PF 2-3
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Peterborough, Ontario
Petroglyphs 1954
This site was listed as an engraving site by Craig, Phipps and Davis in 1954. It is most likely a site which contains petroglyphs. This also might be Petroglyphs Provincial Park.
Geographical location: 44.315,-78.395
PF 2-3
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Prince Edward County, Ontario
Effigy Mound 1860
This is known as the Serpent Mounds Provincial Park. It is a series of mounds in a snakelike pattern. It can be seen as a wooded area in Google satellite.
Here is the Government Website link:Serpent Mount, Ontario
The park is currently closed.
Geographical location: 44.209, -78.155
PF 3
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Prince Edward County, Ontario
petroglyphs 1860
North of Lake Ontario is Petroglyphs Provincial Park. There are literally hundreds of petroglyphs here but the most interesting is the serpent headed ship with a paddle rudder. Also of interest is the figure wearing a conical hat (helmet?) and holding an axe? Is that a Thor's Hammer at his left foot?
Here are a couple interesting links:
Ancient Origins - Scandinavian Petroglyphs
Geographical location: 44.619, -78.044
PF 3-4
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Hastings County, Ontario
Human Remains 1860
First reported by T. C. Wallbridge in 1860 who did some excavations of numerous mounds in the area.
More excavations were made by Boyle in 1898. He reported this to be the site of a mass burial and crematorium. No grave goods were found. Details are given on page 15 of Burial Mounds of Ontario by W. A. Kenyon. The link accesses a PDF version of this text.
An Ottawa journalist, Andrew King also provides an interesting outlook on these and more mounds in the area: Hastings County Mounds
Geographical location: 44.299, -77.974
PF 3
June 15
Synopsis of Central
Of all the Pre-Columbian North American territories we look at, this is one of the more complicated to decipher. Even once we peel out the artifacts that can be attributed or related to older or non Norse visitors as well as indigenous efforts, there is still a confusing amount of cultures present. A number of these are over earlier layers while some are simultaneous with the Norse time frame. The native cultures of this area must also be layered in as the most predominant of all.
Three time periods must be looked at and the significant changes with the inhabitants examined.
*Around CE 500 we see the decline of the Hopewell Culture and within 200 years the emergence of the Mississippian Culture. This is also when finds in the north indicate Dorset/Thule contact with a Celtic/Alban people and we have reports of St. Brendan visiting 'Irland Mikla' (Greater Ireland). There is also some that suggest Madoc appeared at that time as well. This is also a period of great turbulence in the world. In CE 532 a major volcanic eruption, earthquakes and a bout of the bubonic plague labeled this timeframe in Europe as the onset of the Dark Ages.
*A second time period around CE 1100 has the breakup of the Woodlands Culture into more distinct tribes. This is when the Fort Ancient Culture emerges along with several other similar cultures with pottery styles being one of their only major differences. Raiding occurs along the Mississippi. There is no major disasters with the Earth and we have a period of warmer climate ideal for growth and expansion. This is within the timeframe of Viking incursions as well as that of the other suggested arrival of Prince Madoc. A well known native site on the east coast turned up Dorset burins (a type of drill bit made of stone) from hundreds of miles north as well as a Norse coin from this time frame.
*Around CE 1300 appears to be the height of the Mississippian and Fort Ancient Cultures. The planet is in a cooling stage. This is when a strong Norse presence should make itself known through colonization efforts, if there were such. Signs of Templar visitations may be present. Another wave of the Black Death surges through Europe. Although the native cultures end with post Columbian contact, their decline commences noticeably earlier.
Examinations by Mallery and others make strong reference to Celtic presence with footprints of barrows, forts, tools, Ogam and forges along with red haired beings that are seven feet tall. We then have further indications of Norse presence with later style forges, tools, mounds and structures. Remnants of bog iron are present. There are indications that this metal production lasted into the seventeenth century.
To date, with neither the Celts or the Norse, has there been found any significant quantity of real artifacts as there is in the east or west. Even taking into account any production of readily deteriorating bog iron, the kinds of footprints that provide any serious indications of settlement are lacking.
This brings up a critical question. Why did the Norse not settle in this incredible land of resources? In most cases where we examine Norse incursions, after trading comes settlement and ultimate assimilation of cultures. Simply enough, the answer is that there was never enough of a Norse population in this area of the continent to make a footprint. We see signs of established settlement west of the Mississippi River and east of the Ohio but these are limited populations with unlimited land.
Perhaps another answer comes in something stated on the Spirit Pond Poem Stone, which we will examine in the future: "Bearded chief man Haakon discovered a circle by being able to sail toward the west on the lakes of the trade empire."
The Trade Empire. This certainly describes central quite nicely. For millenia there had been well established trade routes through the center of North America, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, up and down the Mississippi River and the Ohio Valley.
The first Norse explorers would have simply followed these already well established routes. We find Moundsville, Cahokia, Spiro Mounds, Aztalan and many more trade centers throughout the continent. Encountering a large and generally peaceful civilization, the Norse would have originally participated in very limited trade in an already fairly sophisticated and well colonized land. One already complete with a Celtic presence.(There is very little evidence of Norse trade goods in this region. Their most valuable offering, metal, is already present with the Celts.)
July 15
* Today I have released digitally the latest book in the Kingbreaker series, The Kings Command. This 'swords and sabres' series follows the career and adventures of Alandros as he rises in status in his dealings with royalty. Anyone interested in receiving a complimentary copy of the series is requested to email me at: tvcmerchant@gmail.com.
Synopsis of East continued
Not only was the sixth century disastrous for the old world but it affected the new world as well. This can be seen by the break up of earlier native societies but could the emergence of other cultures be the results of our suggested old world contact?
That is possible. Early traders and explorers would have come to this area by following established trade routes. (We have briefly touched on visits by earlier cultures in past blogs.) Over the centuries some of these visitors would have been assimilated into the local populations while others would have kept their race intact.
Important here is the fact that there is a noticeable lack of any Christian footprints in this area such as there are in the east. That would remove an early Madoc or Brendan's Christian Irish from the picture. The traces of a Celtic people are present in this era, however. Mounds, graves, Ogam inscriptions, stone roads and structures abound.
When we compare the Ohio Valley hill forts to those of the British Isles iron age hill forts we see quite a similarity up to and including quantity. A database of 4147 old world hill forts can be examined here:
These two factors added to the southern influences on effigy pipes suggest the Celt's encountered were of the pre Christian migration that most likely came up the Mississippi with the Phonecians. Ancient native legends have it that these people were not liked and continually forced westward until they met their demise at the Lovelock caves, Nevada.
It is likely a less deplorable sect of the Celts (non cannibal) made their way north and encountered the residents of the Ohio Valley where they seem to have settled amicably.
Something happened for the Fort Ancient Culture to emerge around CE 1100. What would prompt a society of peaceful agrarian traders and builders to construct such extensive defensive fortifications up and down many river valleys as they did? Perhaps the answer comes from as far away as Cahokia where raids on nearby settlements caused the building of pallisades. Is it possible there were Norse raiders that made it to the Ohio Valley?
The type of Knorr (ship) that Leif Eirikson and other 'Vikings' sailed is quite capable of navigating all the major waterways and even many minor ones while the type of vessel used by raiders was slimmer with a much more shallow bottom for venturting even further up rivers and streams. (We have evidence of early exploration in northwest Oklahoma.)
Could the Norse footprints we see here be the results of conquest or defenders? Did they assimilate and modify the forges already present at the hill forts? Or did they attack and conquer? Could the changes have been the result of inter tribal dissension? There seems to be many divisions of peoples in this area around this time period. Cultures are differentiated by pottery style. Perhaps what we see is the consequences of inter tribal feudal warfare.
Is it possible the Welsh Prince Madoc was the instigator? Several documentaries allude that the Fort Ancient culture was actually him and his followers. The time frame fits but again there is a lack of Christian artifacts.
Summary
All in all we are not seeing a lot of Norse or Celtic presence, possibly just enough to influence cultural changes. It is clear certain Celts were held in esteem by the mound builders but we also learn of battle sites and mass graves.
To really understand the true history of this region we must delve deeper than we have. The Celtic migrations must be examined in far more detail as does the Norse visitations by precisely which Norse cultures were there.
Up to now I have been generalizing, stating Viking for pre 1066 (or so) and Norse for after that date. But were our visitors Greenlanders? Icelanders? Norwegians? Danes? Swedes? Sami? Gottlanders? or others?
Luckily, many of these Ohio Valley sites are very well preserved and where not, locations are still pinpointed thanks to the detailed work of the early surveyors of this country. The technology of future generations of archaeologists will give us more clearly the true story of PCA (Pre Columbian America) and what happened in this central part of North America.
August 15
Faux Pas
Dr. Barry Fell, founder of the American Epigraphic Society, said "I am not always 100% correct, this is the way I see it now. I learn as I go along and if I find I am wrong I say so."
Indeed, it has been found that many of his translations were incorrect but as with a number of other founding researchers, he set a standard or a basis for those to follow. Sometimes we have to make an educated guess.
As researchers many times we deal with heresay. Some of what we come across are rumors that evaporate like smoke in the wind but there are occasions when hidden gems forgotten in the past can sometimes produce remarkable results.
For example, the seventeeth century map discovered by Ingstad in a Hungarian monastery gives us incredible information on thirteenth century Norse trading outposts (Viks) in the north. We will examine this map in further detail later. By continuing his path of research, Ingstad is now reknown for finding L'Anse Aux Meadows which is the first eleventh century Viking site in North America to be examined archaeologically.
I like to compare the historical research necessary to determine our true history as much like journeying through a large, deep forest. We start with a fairly clear path but as we progress along, the path gets less distinct and more difficult to follow, our only clues to be the ocassional faint marker.
Taking a wrong path will lead to being lost or coming to a dead end while the correct path will get one to a way stop. But from that conclusion (or way stop) there is always more paths that will lead to another way stop and verify the accuracy your previous one. Some seekers neglect this fact and pronounce their findings without further journey, content to rest upon their laurels.
A prime example of a faux pas made here was by Norwegian Professor Oluf Rygh and his crony Gustav Storm who let their egos get ahead of knowledge. When first approached about the Kensington Runestone Rygh immediately declared it a fake before proper examination determined the runes to be fourteenth century, not ninth. Rather than making a history shattering discovery, he ended up with egg on his face and a permanent ticket to the land of the losers.
Archaeologist Ralph Linton made a pretty bad boo boo when he discovered a horse skull in a 6th century native burial mound. He claimed it was planted by a Mr. 'P' and subsequently, feeling he had been duped, destroyed it before it could be properly age tested. He created his own dead end which many claim to have been done deliberately. Regardless, the credibility of ANY of his work is now in doubt. The duty of an archaeologist is to record precise detail in truthful and accurate fashion, not to pick and choose. Leave that to the researchers.
But this should not be confused with deliberate obtuseness. Eric Wahlgren published a book declaring the KRS a hoax. Many of his statements have been found to be false or fabricated by today's experts and determined to be plagiarized from other monkey see monkey do authors, all motivated by greed. Nowadays, nothing in ANY of his works can be considered credible. Another loser.
Progressing beyond this, any capable researcher will know when you come to an impasse, you must backtrack and reexamine your path, making the corrections as necessary. That will get you to the way stop and a correct conclusion. But it will never stop there.
In the case of Heinrich Schlieman, his discovery of Troy was monumental, yet his failure to examine the site further caused him to miss the appropriate layer of the Iliad and actually destroy parts of it as he recklessly dug through it.
On the other end of the faux pas pendulum, Birgitta Wallace, although doing excellent work at LAM, created damage to her reputation when her dogged insistence there was no further Norse visits to North America and manipulation of historical texts to try and prove these points was a prime case of applying limited knowledge to unlimited indicators. Her especial desperate use of highly edited quotes to manipulate her distorted points of view in magazines intent on educating youth will ultimately leave her in ignonimy and disgrace. (“Finding Vinland” by Birgitta Wallace in the Feb-Mar 2018 issue of Canada’s History)
But everybody has their faux pas...what you do with it is what matters. One of mine is the Sops Arm shield boss that was published in Kjalarnes Found and featured on this blog.
In our initial visit to Newfoundland and Kent's museum there at Sops Arm, we were able to view the items and take a number of hasty photographs. What appeared to be part of a shield boss caught my eye. The patina looked appropriate, as did the shape and I thought here was the prime indicator of a Norse visit.
Then, a number of years ago on a second visit I was able to physically examine this item which had been hastily photographed earlier. It turned out to be a heavily sea corroded brass cabinet handle.
Learn from your mistakes. Don't cry over them but move forward. Although pictures are good, detailed examination is critical. The 'shield boss has since been removed from artifact status and I felt there was a need to retrace my path.
Luckily I did not have to backtrack very far. There are numerous other artifacts as well as specific sites at Sop's Arm that are markers of what we seek. These will be examined later.
I have set some way stops with this blog but I can guarantee there is much more to find on this huge continent of ours.
September 15
EAST
Following the great lakes route eastward from the Ohio Valley, the ones that the spirit pond runestune talks about (the lakes of the trade empire), we begin to encounter the Norse footprint more extensively.
But again we find more than just the Norse footprints from the old world. Saint Malo reports that St. Brendan took a 7 year voyage from Ireland to the 'land of promise', Irland Mikla or New Ireland. This occurred in CE 512-530. We have also looked previously at Norse traders encountering a hostile (Christian?) people when blown off course as well as non Christian Celts in the Ohio Valley.
Backed up by finds in the north from Sutherland and others we know there was already existing Celtic/Alban/Thule trade taking place that although most likely excluding Pagan Vikings, did include the Norse once they were Christianized.
We also have to consider what impact later visitors made to this area. We have the Knudsen Expedition of 1361-1364 which appears to have included a Royal tour by Prince (later King) Haakon as well as the discovery of the Arctic Circle by Nicholas of Lynn. The voyage of Henry Sinclair took place in 1398-1402. As sinclair was a Templar there is possibilities of the Templar treasure hoard being located in North America.
Madoc had to land somewhere. Most scholars place him more central coming in through Virginia and entering the Ohio Valley. Hearing little more of him it is likely he and his followers came to a grim end.
Having neither the time nor the funding to research the Eastern seaboard in person, I do rely here on many catalogued and expert sources.
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Brantford, Ontario
Axe 1907
A bronze axe discovered in 1907 was claimed to be Scandinavian CE 600-1000. It has an 'irish look', aka 'palstaff' attributed as Irish-Celtic from 500 BCE-CE 1000. Reported originally by Holand and later by Anderson 1994. It's last known location was the Museum of the American Indian, New York.
Geographical location: 43.147,-80.344
PF 3
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Hamilton, Ontario
Axe
An 'old fireman's axe' was found at a native encampment near the shores of Lake Ontario.
The prospector who found it sold it to Walter K. Stafford. The axe is forged iron or steel and weighs three pounds. It's last known location was the Dundurn Museum, Hamilton. Some years ago the museum was renovated and the artifacts reclassified.
Geographical location: 43.260,-79.871
PF 3
October 15
Belfast, New York
Tablet 1975
A tablet found alonmg the shores of the Genesee River in 1975 was said to have inscribed on it in Kelto-Iberic: 'Confirmation - I have pledged to pay in full'. It's current location is unknown.
Geographical location: 42.337, -78.107
PF 2-3
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Ontario County, NY
Axe 1923
The last known location is the Museum of the American Indian. No further information is available at present.
Geographical location: 42.808,-77.567
PF 2
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Washington, DC
Runestone 1867
The Chicago Tribune reported in 1867 about a runestone found along the banks of the Potomac River. No further information is known.
Geographical location: 38.853, -77.026
PF 2
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Pennsylvania
Boat Nails
Various reports.
PF 3
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New York State
Mooring Stones
Various reports. Many charted by Pohl.
PF 3
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Sodus Bay, New York
Spearhead 1929
Wayne County on Southern Lake Ontario was where Augustus Hoffman discovered this spearpoint in 1929. He found it in hardpan rubble while repairing his boathouse.
Testing has come out to 94% Iron purity and has been dated by University of Toronto scientists at between CE 800 and CE 1300. This weapon is almost identical to the Whitehall Spearhead which will be coming up.
The Sodus Bay Spearhead is currently housed in the Museum of Wayne County History, New York, where it has been since the 1940s.
Geographical location: 43.262,-77.009
PF 4
....to be continued.