and their seafarers -
The Norsemen / The Vikings.

Danmark/Denmark	Norge/Norway	Sverige/Sweden	Iceland
Orkney	Shetland	Hebrides	Man

There are many web-sites about the Vikings, their ships, and their effect on lands such as England, Scotland, Ireland, France. Europe as a whole. The founding of settlements in Iceland, then Greenland and even North America and possibly beyond.

Just how far beyond? West coast Canadian Indians talked of fair blue eyed seaborne warriors in boats with white wings having entered the Northern Pacific from the Bering Strait. Did they use the north west passage that Cabot sought so eagerly? Was it ice free when the Vikings settled Greenland? The Vikings did call the Arctic ocean, "the Middle sea" (middle between Pacific and Atlantic?). Did Viking trading or longships really deposit banished Celts from Scotland in New Zealand in the 10th century? Did they return again when requested to check if there were surviviors after 7+1 generations? What of the records that confirm this return voyage was successful and some of the young men, descendants of the banished, returned to Scotland with the Vikings? Did some of these actually return to New Zealand with wives? Some modern Scots claim descent from those that remained in Scotland. Where did these particular Vikings come from? The Isle of Man, the Orkneys, or Sheltand, or Norway? Or some other Viking haven? What version of Viking long ship did they use? What was their route?

These are questions that are raised by a tauntingly few but strange archaeological artifacts, myths and stories. But items like these are cast aside with derision by rigid preconceptions held by skeptic orthodox historians and archaeologists. Similar styled experts previously cast derision and doubt upon the existence of the large seagoing Viking Dragon ships. Tales abounded in sagas of the feats, speed and predations of such ships. But until one was found in Roskilde harbour in Denmark the skeptics reasoning was believed over the writings and sagas. Ironic that the only known example of such a magnificent ship was found during excavations for extending a Viking Ship Museum! And suddenly the veracity of the old sagas and writings is proven acceptable.

The truth is stranger than fiction. What some experts would try and have you believe is fiction and untrue, possibly was and is the truth! Just how far did these seafarers really go? Many men and women have sailed the around the world in sailing vessels in modern times. Some single handed. The seaworthiness of the modern yacht is undoubtedly little better than that of a Viking ship under the command of expert seafarers. As modern boatmen become more familiar with the handling capabilities of modern Viking ships, more respect of the technical knowledge of the ancient seafarer, boat builder, designer and the excellence of these boats is growing. These vessels were very capable of such world encircling voyages - before the authorities cast doubt on the roundness of the world and introduced the flat earth theories and guided superstition in a manner that it controlled who went where and how they accomplished it.

Vikings in the Pacific? Perhaps this is closer to the truth than we now know. What if some Maori are actually decendants of Viking and Scots womenfolk taken as prizes from the defeated and devoured? (The Saga of Taine Ruaridh Mhor).What of the anomalous structures, wrecks and artifacts found throughout the Pacific? History is impartial. It is what happened, regardless of what modern historians, archaeologists and skeptics would prefer to have happened. Many experts manipulate what they find to match what they expected to find, or would prefer to to have found, to suit current ideological preconceptions. So in too many cases accepted or portrayed history is false or deviates somewhat from truth and is open to revision.

Until we understand more about the ancient seaways and trading routes we should not discount the possibility that adventurous and competent mariners travelled far further than we give credit, earlier than we currently conceive. Is the sea a barrier or a vast broad highway? (Phoenicians) The teredo worm was/is a severe problem in the Atlantic Ocean - hence the importance of copper sheathing on wooden hulls for ocean voyages, or the use of worm resistant timbers.

Here are some links to modern Viking ship, Highland Birlinn and similar sites.

Copyright © 2000, 2001 Mitchell