The Norse: An Arctic Mystery

Overview

History often credits Christopher Columbus as the first European to interact with Native Americans. However, new findings suggest that Norse explorers from Scandinavia—particularly Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—actually arrived in the New World long before him. Known as Vikings, a term that refers to their seafaring raids, these ancient mariners may have established contact with indigenous populations centuries earlier than previously believed. Their legacy challenges conventional narratives and opens new discussions about early transatlantic exploration and cultural exchanges.