Greenland's Viking Settlers Gorged on Seals
|
|
The above photograph shows archaeologists digging up the skeletons at Igaliku Fjord in Greenland in 2010. CREDIT: Jette Arneborg |
Greenland's viking settlers, the Norse, disappeared suddenly and mysteriously from Greenland about 500 years ago. A team of researchers have now discovered that diet was not to blame for the disappearance of the vikings in Greenland. The team conducted an isotopic analysis of bone samples which shows seal meat made up about 50 to 80 percent of the settlers' diet. Traditionally, the Norse were a farming community but these settlers were able to adapt to the environment and subsisted primarily on a diet from the sea.
Follow Life's Little Mysteries on Twitter @llmysteries. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
Life's Little Mysteries: Gift Edition Hardcover Book
Uncover the truth behind more than 100 mysteries that surround us every day with our new hardcover book! Perfect for gifts and classrooms, and suitable for all ages. Some of the included mysteries are:
- Why Do Cats Land on Their Feet?
- How Long Does it Take to Make Petrified Wood?
- What Everyday Things Around Us Are Radioactive?
Find out all of this and much, much more in our NEW hardcover book.
It makes a great gift idea for all ages. more info>>
