Sandnæs facts for kids
Sandnæs (pronounced Sand-ness), also known as Sandnes, was the biggest Viking farm in the Western Settlement of medieval Greenland. Its name meant "Sandy Headland" in the old Viking language, Old Norse. People settled there around the year 1000 AD. The farm was left empty by the late 1300s. Today, this spot is called Kilaarsarfik. It is located at the end of the Ameralla Fjord, which is south of the modern city of Nuuk.
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Sandnæs: A Viking Farm in Greenland
Sandnæs was a very important place for the Vikings in Greenland. It was their largest farm in the Western Settlement. This area was one of two main places where Vikings lived in Greenland. The farm was named for a sandy piece of land, just like a city in Norway called Sandnes.
Where Was Sandnæs Located?
The farm was built in a good spot. It had a large area for animals to graze. This meant the people living there could raise many cattle. Other farms in the Western Settlement mostly raised goats and sheep. Sandnæs also had the church for the whole area.
What Life Was Like at the Farm
Life at Sandnæs was busy. The large pastures helped the farmers succeed with their cattle. This was a big advantage compared to other farms. However, records suggest that the living conditions at the farm were not very clean during its time.
Discoveries from Digging Up Sandnæs
Archaeologists have dug up the Sandnæs site. These digs have shown many interesting things. For example, they found proof that the Vikings kept trading with North America. This happened even after Leif Ericson's attempt to settle in a place called Vinland did not work out.
Evidence of Trade and Tools
One important find was an arrowhead. It likely came from the Point Revenge culture. These were Native Americans who lived in Labrador. The arrowhead was found in the graveyard at Sandnæs. This shows that Vikings and Native Americans might have met and traded. There is also proof that people at Sandnæs were able to get iron from the ground. This was important for making tools and weapons.
