Ep 4. The Vikings: Voyage to America
- February 13, 2006
-
6.7 (9)
In episode 4 of season 2 of Digging for the Truth, titled "The Vikings: Voyage to America," host Josh Bernstein explores the possibility that the Vikings reached North America 500 years prior to Christopher Columbus.
Bernstein begins his journey in Iceland, where he visits the Viking settlement of Reykjavik and speaks with historians about the Viking lifestyle and their seafaring capabilities. He then travels to L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America. Here, he meets with archaeologists who have uncovered evidence of Viking presence, including a Norse-style dwelling and a smithy for metalworking.
Next, Bernstein heads to Maine, where he examines the Kensington Rune Stone, a controversial artifact found in 1898 that claims a group of Vikings made a journey inland in the 14th century. While some experts believe the inscription is authentic, others argue that it is a hoax.
Bernstein also visits the Newport Tower in Rhode Island, which some believe was built by the Vikings as a navigational aid. However, others argue that it was constructed by early European settlers in the 17th century.
Finally, Bernstein heads to the Ohio River Valley, where he explores the possibility that the Vikings reached the interior of North America and established a settlement. He meets with a team of archaeologists who have found evidence of Viking artifacts and structures, including a runestone that bears inscriptions in Norse.
Throughout the episode, Bernstein examines the various pieces of evidence that suggest the Vikings made a voyage to North America, and speaks with scholars who provide different interpretations of the findings. He also considers the motives that may have driven the Vikings to make such a perilous journey, and how their presence may have influenced the early development of the Americas.
Overall, "The Vikings: Voyage to America" provides a fascinating look at an oft-overlooked chapter of North American history and the enduring mysteries surrounding the Vikings' existence in the New World.
