Publications
GRILLO, Paolo. Las puertas del mundo. Europa y la globalización medieval
A new perspective on medieval globalization reveals that European trade networks during the 13th and 14th centuries were far more interconnected than previously thought, extending across the Atlantic to L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland and linking Europe with the kingdom of Mapungubwe in southern Africa. Paolo Grillo's study traces the global movement of ivory—sourced from both Arctic walruses and African elephants—as a key commodity that flowed between these distant regions, with European emporia serving as central consumption hubs. By analyzing archaeological evidence, including artifacts from L'Anse aux Meadows, Grillo demonstrates how shifts in trade routes and consumer preferences during the early 14th century—favoring elephant ivory over walrus ivory—reflect broader economic and environmental changes of the medieval period. This challenges traditional narratives of European isolationism, highlighting instead a complex web of transcontinental exchanges that predated modern globalization.
(Re)kindling kinship knowledges: a poetic remembering of place
This innovative research demonstrates the potential of poetic inquiry to bridge folklore, embodied knowledge, and environmental understanding. By integrating creative-practice methods with fieldwork at L'Anse aux Meadowsand other locations, the study reveals how personal, cultural, and environmental narratives shape worldviews. It challenges traditional academic frameworks by asserting the legitimacy of artistic research within folkloric studies, while also interrogating abstract heritage archives like Norse kennings and rock art. The findings underscore the significance of place-based knowledges in fostering deeper connections to both heritage and the natural environment.
Chasseurs et agriculteurs du Groenland et du Canada : un millénaire d'intéractions sociétés-environnements
A millennia-long study of human-environmental interactions in Arctic and subarctic regions reveals distinct ecological impacts of Norse settlers and Inuit communities. Using multiproxy analysis—including pollen, micro-charcoal, and parasite data—researchers reconstructed landscape changes near archaeological sites such as L’Anse aux Meadows (Canada) and two Greenlandic settlements. Findings indicate that Norse agricultural practices left visible environmental traces in Eastern Greenland, while Western Greenland showed moderate impact. At L’Anse aux Meadows, evidence suggests landscape opening around 1000 CE but no clear signs of livestock grazing. Inuit seasonal occupations in Labrador hint at wetland management and controlled fires, with caribou and dog presence. The study underscores the diversity of socio-ecological trajectories over a millennium, emphasizing the value of integrated paléoécological approaches to understanding past human-environmental dynamics.
Historical-legal interpretation of the expeditions of Thorfinn Karlsefni and Leif Eriksson to Vinland
Norse expeditions to Vinland, led by Leif Eriksson and Thorfinn Karlsefni around 1000 A.D., were not limited by a lack of legal framework for colonization but faced challenges in cross-cultural interactions with indigenous populations. The study reveals that Norse society had a well-developed system of customary law (lǫg) and that land settlement (landnám) held significant legal and sacred importance. While Leif Eriksson's expedition was exploratory, Karlsefni's mission attempted full colonization, as evidenced by emerging property relations at L'Anse aux Meadows. The research combines historical-legal analysis with archaeological data from the site and scholarly works on medieval Scandinavian law to demonstrate that the short-term Norse presence in Vinland was due to external factors, particularly difficulties in regulating conflicts with indigenous peoples and logistical constraints.
LIFE ON THE EDGE: The Archeologist, the Oil Rig, and the Newfoundlander
By 2101, L'Anse aux Meadows—a UNESCO-listed Viking archaeological site in Newfoundland—faces a transformed landscape where decommissioned offshore oil rigs, once symbols of resource extraction, now serve as monumental scrapyards and material salvage hubs. This speculative design project reimagines heritage in an era of climate-driven change, exploring how salvaged components can reshape terrain, community, and cultural identity while grappling with the complex legacies of extraction. Through critical drawings and maps, the research interrogates monumentality, counter-monumentality, and the future of heritage on the edge of environmental and historical upheaval.
New horizons at L’Anse aux Meadows
A new cultural horizon, distinct from the known Norse ruins at L'Anse aux Meadows (LAM), suggests that European presence in North America may have lasted significantly longer than previously thought. Fieldwork in 2018 revealed nonnative ecofacts in a peat bog adjacent to the site, hinting at prolonged Norse activity or interactions with Indigenous peoples. Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon data supports the possibility that Norse settlement endured for nearly a century, challenging earlier interpretations. This discovery reshapes our understanding of pre-1492 transatlantic contact and raises intriguing questions about cultural exchange in the region.
Norse America
Archaeological evidence, including the discovery of L'Anse aux Meadows—a 1000-year-old European settlement on Newfoundland's coast—challenges the long-held belief that sporadic contact between the Old and New Worlds began only after Columbus. This site, linked to Norse sagas describing unknown lands, suggests the Norse ventured to North America around 1000 AD in search of habitable land rather than for exploration or economic gain. The study combines oral legends, archaeological findings, and interviews with historians to reconstruct Norse migrations from northern Europe to Iceland, Greenland, and beyond, debunking the myth of pre-Columbian isolation between cultures.
Anhang
Archaeological evidence of the Viking expedition to North America, predating Columbus by 400 years, was rediscovered at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. The study, led by Rudolf Simek, explores the motivations behind this daring voyage—whether driven by adventure, resource scarcity, or other factors—and examines the origins and worldviews of these Norse explorers. It also delves into their nautical expertise and boat design, as well as the historical narrative surrounding their journey, including the Grænlendinga Saga. Additionally, it highlights the 1961 discovery by Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, which confirmed the Viking presence in North America, while debunking earlier 'Viking Hoaxes' that flourished in the U.S.
Die Entdeckung der Neuen Welt: Die «Vinland-Sagas» (Chapter 5)
Archaeological evidence from L'Anse aux Meadows, discovered in 1961 by Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, confirms the Viking presence in North America nearly 500 years before Columbus. The site provides tangible traces of the Norse expeditions described in the Vinland Sagas, offering insights into their seafaring capabilities, nautical knowledge, and cultural perceptions. Rudolf Simek's analysis explores the motivations behind these voyages—whether driven by resource scarcity or adventurous spirit—and examines the historical and archaeological context of Viking exploration. The study also debunks 'Viking Hoaxes,' highlighting the distinction between documented findings and speculative narratives that emerged in North America.
Die Expansion der Wikinger in Europa (Chapter 3)
Archaeological evidence from L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, reveals the presence of Viking settlers approximately 500 years before Columbus's voyage. The site, discovered in 1961 by Norwegian archaeologists Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, provides tangible proof of Norse exploration in North America. This finding challenges historical narratives and underscores the advanced navigational skills and resourcefulness of Viking seafarers. The study examines Norse sagas, ship designs, and nautical knowledge to contextualize this significant discovery, while also debunking 'Viking Hoaxes' that emerged from American folklore.
Die Schiffe der Wikinger: Drachenschiffe und Lastochsen der Meere (Chapter 6)
Archaeological evidence of the Viking Age expedition to North America, predating Columbus by over 400 years, was rediscovered at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. The site, uncovered in 1961 by Norwegian archaeologists Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, provides tangible proof of Norse exploration, challenging preconceived notions about the timing and extent of European contact with the Americas. This discovery, rooted in textual analysis of sagas like Grænlendinga Saga and archaeological excavation, sheds light on Viking navigational prowess, ship design (notably 'dragon ships'), and their motivations for transatlantic voyages—ranging from resource scarcity to adventurism. The study also debunks 'Viking Hoaxes,' exaggerated narratives that emerged in the U.S., by grounding findings in verifiable historical and material evidence.
Die Welt der falschen amerikanischen Wikinger: «Viking Hoaxes» in Amerika (Chapter 11)
In 1961, the Norwegian couple Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad uncovered archaeological remains of a Viking expedition at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, confirming Norse presence in North America over 400 years before Columbus. This discovery provided tangible evidence of the Grænlendinga Saga's account of Viking exploration. The study, led by Rudolf Simek, explores the motivations behind these voyages—ranging from adventure and resource scarcity to cultural curiosity—and analyzes the nautical expertise and worldviews of Norse seafarers. It also examines the historical context of 'Viking Hoaxes' in America, where exaggerated tales of Norse exploration flourished. The research combines archaeological evidence with historical narrative, offering insights into Viking navigation, boat design, and the broader implications of their transatlantic journey.
Vinland in der Gelehrtenwelt des Mittelalters (Chapter 8)
In 1961, the Norwegian couple Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad uncovered archaeological remains of a Viking expedition at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, confirming Norse presence in North America over 400 years before Columbus. The discovery provided tangible evidence of the 'Vinland' described in medieval sagas, such as the Grænlendinga Saga, which detailed the Vikings' arrival and their encounter with sweet dew on grass. This study, by Rudolf Simek, explores the motivations behind the Viking voyages—whether driven by adventure, resource scarcity, or other factors—and examines their nautical prowess, worldviews, and historical narratives. It also addresses misconceptions, including 'Viking Hoaxes,' that emerged in the U.S., highlighting the intersection of history, archaeology, and medieval scholarship.
Vinland wiederentdeckt (Chapter 2)
Archaeological evidence of the Viking expedition to North America, predating Christopher Columbus by over 400 years, was rediscovered at L'Anse aux Meadows on Newfoundland's coast. The discovery, made in 1961 by Norwegian researchers Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad, confirmed historical accounts from the Grænlendinga Saga, detailing the Vikings' arrival in Vinland. This study explores the motivations behind their journey—whether driven by adventure, resource scarcity, or other factors—and examines their nautical expertise, boat designs, and worldviews. It also debunks 'Viking Hoaxes,' a phenomenon of exaggerated Viking narratives in the U.S., providing a balanced historical perspective.
Vinland!
Archaeological evidence of Viking exploration in North America was uncovered at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, by Norwegian researchers Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad in 1961. This discovery confirmed the historical accounts from the Grænlendinga Saga, detailing the Vikings' arrival in Vinland around 400 years before Columbus. The site revealed insights into Viking shipbuilding, navigation, and cultural practices, challenging earlier misconceptions about their presence in North America. The research also explored the motivations behind their expeditions, including resource scarcity and adventurous spirit, while debunking American 'Viking Hoaxes' that had previously distorted public perception.
Was bleibt von Vinland? (Chapter 10)
In 1961, the Norwegian couple Helge and Anne Stine Ingstad uncovered archaeological remnants of a Viking expedition at L'Anse aux Meadows on Newfoundland's coast, providing tangible evidence of Norse exploration in North America over 400 years before Columbus. The discovery shed light on the motivations behind these voyages—whether driven by adventure, resource scarcity, or other factors—and challenged long-standing narratives about Viking origins and seafaring capabilities. Rudolf Simek's analysis delves into the historical accounts, such as the Grænlendinga Saga, which vividly describes the Vikings' arrival in Vinland, while also examining their nautical expertise, boat designs, and worldviews. Additionally, the work debunks 'Viking Hoaxes,' a phenomenon of exaggerated or fabricated Norse-American connections that gained traction in the U.S.
Bad Heritage: The American Viking Fantasy, from the Nineteenth Century to Now
This study challenges the notion of Viking heritage as a symbol of freedom and cultural continuity, revealing instead its complex and often problematic role in American history. It demonstrates that the fantasy of Norse whiteness has been central to Viking narratives since the 19th century, influencing popular culture, neo-Norse religion, and even white supremacist ideologies. The research examines how this fantasized heritage operates as both a burden and an obligation, rather than a liberating force, while also questioning claims of authenticity in cultural transmission. By analyzing examples like L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the study aims to disrupt white supremacist interpretations of Viking heritage while advocating for a more inclusive, heterogeneous understanding that transcends purity.
Late Holocene Hunter-Gatherers at L'Anse aux Meadows and the Dynamics of Bird and Mammal Hunting in Newfoundland
Archaeological evidence from L’Anse aux Meadows suggests that Late Holocene hunter-gatherers prioritized bird hunting over mammal hunting, contrary to the dominance of tools typically associated with caribou or seal exploitation. Analysis of over 40 years of excavation data reveals a lithic assemblage dominated by large bifaces and scrapers, yet the majority of faunal remains are bird bones. This pattern aligns with historical records of Beothuk subsistence, indicating that while mammal hunting tools were prepared, birds were the primary target during warm weather. The study proposes a seasonal dynamic where bird harvesting occurred in warmer months, while mammal exploitation was planned for colder periods, offering new insights into the subsistence strategies of northern hunter-gatherers.
Norse in Newfoundland: A critical examination of archaeological research at the Norse site at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
Archaeological research at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, reveals that the site corresponds to Vinland, the mythical Norse settlement described in 13th-century sagas. The study critically examines excavation reports from the Ingstad and Wallace excavations, alongside comparative analyses, to uncover the settlement's function and activities, with a focus on dietary practices and site operations. This research provides concrete evidence linking L’Anse aux Meadows to the Norse exploration of Vinland around 1000 CE, challenging and refining historical narratives about Norse expansion in North America.
The Great Ocean of Truth: Memories of "Hudson-70," the First Circumnavigation of the Americas, by Peter Wadhams
A groundbreaking circumnavigation of the Americas in 1970, documented by Peter Wadhams, sheds light on the historical significance of L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. The expedition, 'Hudson-70,' mapped 365 rivers and portage routes, contributing to our understanding of transcontinental travel. The book also delves into the life of Helge Ingstad, a Norwegian-Canadian explorer who transitioned from being a barrenland trapper in the 1920s to discovering the Viking Age site at L'Anse aux Meadows. Additionally, it critically examines the legacy of Warburton Pike, an English adventurer whose racist attitudes and misinformation about his Aboriginal guides remain controversial. The book is enriched with period photographs and detailed maps, offering a compelling narrative about the people who have inhabited or passed through this storied place.
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