Sandnæs, often anglicized as Sandnes, was the largest Norse farmstead in the Western Settlement of medieval Greenland. [1] Similarly with the Norwegian city of Sandnes, its name meant "Sandy Headland" in Old Norse. It was settled around AD 1000 [1] and abandoned by the late 14th century. It was located at the site known as Kilaarsarfik [2] today, [3] at the head of the Ameralla Fjord south of modern Nuuk's peninsula.
The farm was well-placed and possessed a large pasturage enabling its proprietors to successfully raise cattle, compared with goats and sheep at the other Western Settlement farms. It also included the area's church. [3] However, the conditions throughout the site's existence were apparently filthy. [4]
The site has been excavated, proving among other things that the Vikings continued to trade with the American mainland after Leif Ericson's failed colonization attempt. [5] An arrowhead likely from the Point Revenge culture of Native Americans in Labrador has been found in the graveyard at Sandnæs. [6] There is also evidence of iron extraction at the site. [7]
Sandnæs, often anglicized as Sandnes, was the largest Norse farmstead in the Western Settlement of medieval Greenland. [1] Similarly with the Norwegian city of Sandnes, its name meant "Sandy Headland" in Old Norse. It was settled around AD 1000 [1] and abandoned by the late 14th century. It was located at the site known as Kilaarsarfik [2] today, [3] at the head of the Ameralla Fjord south of modern Nuuk's peninsula.
The farm was well-placed and possessed a large pasturage enabling its proprietors to successfully raise cattle, compared with goats and sheep at the other Western Settlement farms. It also included the area's church. [3] However, the conditions throughout the site's existence were apparently filthy. [4]
The site has been excavated, proving among other things that the Vikings continued to trade with the American mainland after Leif Ericson's failed colonization attempt. [5] An arrowhead likely from the Point Revenge culture of Native Americans in Labrador has been found in the graveyard at Sandnæs. [6] There is also evidence of iron extraction at the site. [7]