CBC Digital Archives

Celebrating Viking heritage at L'Anse Aux Meadows

Wonders of nature and marvels made by people stretch all across Canada. From a preserved Haida village in B.C. through Alberta's rich dinosaur fossil grounds to old Quebec City and a Viking settlement in Newfoundland, 15 remarkable Canadian places have been deemed World Heritage sites by the United Nations. CBC Digital Archives takes a tour of some of these internationally recognized national treasures.

When Paul Compton had an idea to build a replica Viking ship and launch a touring operation at historic L'Anse Aux Meadows, people thought he was crazy. But with Newfoundland's cod fishery on the decline, the 21-year-old knew he had to create a niche for himself. After four years of hard work and frustration, Compton's dream has come true. In this 1995 report from CBC-TV's On The Road Again, Compton takes tourists on a voyage on the waters around the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, where Norsemen settled in sod houses a thousand years ago.
• According to the Parks Canada website, native peoples first inhabited L'Anse Aux Meadows around 6,000 years ago. It became a Norse settlement around 1,000 A.D. The area was excavated by Anne Stine Ingstad from 1961-68 and by Parks Canada from 1973-76. The Parks Canada excavation uncovered three separate layers, one from Norse occupation. The site served as winter living quarters and included three complexes, each with a dwelling and a workshop for specialized craftsmen. • In 1977, it was designated a National Historic Site by the government of Canada.

• On September 8, 1978, L'Anse Aux Meadows was designated a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage site in recognition of its importance as a major archaeological property.

• The Parks Canada website describes ancient Norse stories called "sagas," which give a colourful account of the Norse settlement of L'Anse Aux Meadows. According to these sagas, "nearly 1000 years ago, a stout, high-prowed vessel from Greenland cast anchor in an inviting bay somewhere along the coast of North America. Its single square sail was furled, and the 30-man crew stepped ashore. To the north of them, a point of land extended into the sea; beyond it was an island. The Land along the coast was low and gently rolling. Lush meadows, sheltered by forests, covered the ground. A small stream flowed from a lake a short distance away. The tides were spectacular. When the tide was out, the entire bay became dry land. Enchanted by what they saw, the newcomers decided to stay."

Medium: Television
Program: On the Road Again
Broadcast Date: Nov. 3, 1995
Guest(s): Paul Compton
Host: Wayne Rostad
Duration: 6:29
This clip was edited for copyright reasons.

Last updated: July 30, 2012

Page consulted on April 2, 2013

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