Environmental impacts around the time of Norse landnám in the Qorlortoq valley, Eastern Settlement, Greenland

Schofield, J. Edward; Edwards, Kevin J.; Christensen, Charlie

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2007.11.004

Cited by 44 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…A.D. 1220-1290 onward). In this respect they bear comparability with the patterns seen at other farm sites in the Norse Eastern Settlement (Fredskild 1973(Fredskild , 1978(Fredskild , 1988Edwards, Schofield, & Mauquoy, 2008;Schofield, Edwards, & Christensen, 2008). A point of departure for Sandhavn lies in the signal for Rumex acetosella, which is absent during the settlement period (SAN-2) and extremely sparse thereafter.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

“…Recent paleoecological studies demonstrate the clear impact of Norse landnám and European-style farming on the vegetation and landscape of southwest Greenland (Buckland et al, 2008(Buckland et al, , 2009Edwards, Schofield, & Mauquoy, 2008;Schofield, Edwards, & Christensen, 2008), yet the nature and extent of soil and archaeological sediment modification associated with Norse settlement has still to be systematically determined. Thus far, soils-based studies have largely focused on factors affecting Norse agricultural production such as home-field irrigation requirements (Adderley & Simpson, 2006) and human-induced soil erosion (Jacobsen & Jakobsen, 1986).…”

Section: Norse-inuit Interaction and Landscape Change In Southern Grementioning

confidence: 99%

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Norse–Inuit interaction and landscape change in southern Greenland? A geochronological, Pedological, and Palynological investigation

et al. 2011

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Ruins representing both medieval Norse and Inuit (Thule culture) settlements can be found together on the coast at Sandhavn (59°59' N, 44°46' W), Greenland. The site presents a rare opportunity to investigate the character of past contact and interaction between these two peoples. Soils-based, radiocarbon, and palynological analyses demonstrate the creation of hortic anthrosols within Norse home-fields used between the mid-11th and late 14th centuries A.D. Irrigation channels have been identified within the home-fields, while rising grass pollen influx reveals intensification in hay production over the period ca. A.D. 1260-1350 despite climatic deterioration setting in around this time. Floor deposits and wall packing from an Inuit winter house returned dates of cal. A.D. 1220-1290 (2 s), yet no direct landscape-based evidence for Inuit activity could be determined. Although the exact nature of the relationship between Norse and Thule at Sandhavn remains unclear, the role of this site as a harbor and possible trading area may have attracted Inuit settlers keen to participate in European trade networks.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Section: Norse-inuit Interaction and Landscape Change In Southern Grementioning

confidence: 99%

Norse–Inuit interaction and landscape change in southern Greenland? A geochronological, Pedological, and Palynological investigation

et al. 2011

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“…A similar pattern is not uncommon in Norse‐age pollen sequences, having been noted at both Qorlortup Itinnera (Schofield et al . ) and Sissarluttoq (Edwards et al . ), and it probably reflects a cooling climate and the spread of sub‐arctic steppe.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1), Fredskild (1973Fredskild ( , 1978Fredskild ( , 1988 identified the key features of settlement as being the clearance of scrub and woodland and their replacement with improved grasslands along with the accidental introduction of selected plants such as Rumex acetosella (sheep's sorrel). In recent years, high-resolution palaeoecological data have confirmed and developed such findings (Edwards et al , 2011aSchofield et al 2008Schofield et al , 2013. Typically, although not exclusively (cf.…”

mentioning

confidence: 87%

Taphonomy or signal sensitivity in palaeoecological investigations ofNorselandnáminVatnahverfi, southernGreenland?

Ledger

Edwards

Schofield

2014

Boreas

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Anthrosols (cf. plaggen soils) are commonly found across the homefields of Norse farms, yet the extent to which these taphonomically complex and heterogeneous deposits provide reliable archives of environmental change and vegetation history has rarely been investigated. This paper compares the palynological signature contained within an anthrosol located beside Norse farm ruins in the Eastern Settlement of Greenland, with that from a mire situated ∼400 m from the nearest archaeological remains. The investigation covers a period of ∼1000 years leading into, through, and beyond the Greenlandic landnám of AD 985. The results demonstrate that, as anticipated, the anthrosol contains a strong signal for human impact associated with settlement and occupation, although changes in both pollen percentages and accumulation rates (influx) through the profile appear smooth, not erratic, and radiocarbon dates are conformable. Thus the palynological signature contained in the anthrosol is broadly comparable to the patterns characteristic of stratified natural contexts (e.g. mires) with small pollen source areas that are located in close proximity to former Norse structures. Nevertheless, it is also demonstrated that secondary microfossils are a major component of the pollen assemblages within the anthrosol, and pollen influx is notably an order of magnitude higher when compared against the peat core taken from the mire. It is suggested that this may result from the addition of pollen contained in animal dung, augmenting that accumulating through the natural accretion of pollen derived from the surrounding vegetation and landing on the surface of the anthrosol. Although this complicates any palynological interpretation, by adopting a cautious approach we argue that anthrosols can be used to extract useful information about vegetation history at a local scale, as well as providing indirect evidence of landscape impacts and resource use around farmsteads.

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“…Over the past 10 years, palaeoecological investigations into the fate of Norse settlers in the Eastern Settlement have furnished 13 new pollen profiles from this region Schofield et al 2008;Buckland et al 2009;Golding et al 2011;Schofield and Edwards 2011;Massa et al 2012;Ledger 2013;Ledger et al 2013Ledger et al , 2014aLedger et al , b, 2015 more than doubling the available information ( Fig. 1c-e).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The biogeographical status of Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursch in sub-Arctic southern Greenland: Do pollen records indicate local populations during the past 1500 years?

2015

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Environmental impacts around the time of Norse landnám in the Qorlortoq valley, Eastern Settlement, Greenland

Cited by 44 publications

References 39 publications

Norse–Inuit interaction and landscape change in southern Greenland? A geochronological, Pedological, and Palynological investigation

Norse–Inuit interaction and landscape change in southern Greenland? A geochronological, Pedological, and Palynological investigation

Taphonomy or signal sensitivity in palaeoecological investigations ofNorselandnáminVatnahverfi, southernGreenland?

The biogeographical status of Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursch in sub-Arctic southern Greenland: Do pollen records indicate local populations during the past 1500 years?

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