Viking and Norse Settlers and Their Lasting Impact on Iceland and Its People

Abstract Nikolas J. Blanks Findings The purpose of this research was to The Environment investigate the lasting impacts that the Norse and Viking Freshman, B.S. Spaceflight Operations • The rapid colonization of Iceland by settlers had on Iceland’s environment and people. Through an [email protected] Viking settlers. extensive preliminary literature review and research process, • Early settlers stripped Iceland of almost I learned that Viking settlers colonized Iceland quickly in all natural birch forests for wood their hunt for resources. The settlers ravaged the land of its resources and farming/grazing fields. natural birch forests, using the wood for various necessities. Methodology • Imported livestock put pressure on the This rapid deforestation contributed to current issues Iceland soil and growth of flora. has had with soil erosion and lack of forest growth (Luft, Using the method of Triangulation, • Without forests, soil became loose and 2001). three different methods of gathering information were susceptible to erosion. While in Iceland, I kept a field journal to used to answer the research question: • Icelandic soil partly consists of volcanic record my observations and notes, as well as conduct an • An Interview with Iceland Tour Guide ash which is prone to erosion interview on the various ways Vikings have left their mark on • Personal Observations Culture Iceland. I attended the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland • Previously Collected Facts & Data • Icelanders are very proud of their Viking to learn more about what Iceland is doing to reverse the ancestry. effects of soil erosion and to gather more information about • DNA of Icelanders is split 50/50 between the Vikings’ role in the changing environment. I found that Photo 1 - Right Norse (Viking) and Irish. the Viking settlers’ deforestation of Iceland was the tipping One of the few • Many Viking references in everyday point for the environment. Without the birch forests and other patches of birch forest culture. plants, the soil became loose and vulnerable to the strong I witnessed in our • Still base justice system on Viking ideals. winds of Iceland (Catlin, 2016). Despite the Vikings’ role in drive through Iceland. • Icelandic language is practically identical the environment, I observed that Icelanders are very proud of to the language spoken by the Vikings. their heritage.

Conclusion Iceland and its people still bare the scars and marks that the ancient Photo 2 - Left Viking Settlers left. Modern Icelanders are The typical flora in Iceland usually consists of grass and struggling to conserve their nutrient rich soil low bushes. from erosion and regrow their birch forests. Even though these amazing people are still dealing with the impacts of their ancestors’ choices, one can see that they embrace their References Viking heritage fully. While on the surface • Interview with Baldur Gylfason there are plenty of references to the Vikings • Soil Conservation Service of Iceland (SCSI) throughout their culture, the connection goes • Luft, E. (2001). The Discovery and Settlement of Iceland. deeper than what meets the eye. Retrieved January 29, 2018 from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/ps/i.d o?p=GVRL&u=embry&id=GALE|CX3408500474&v=2.1 &it=r&sid=summon&authCount=1 Photo 4 • Catlin, K. (2016, September). Archaeology for the This ship, named the Anthropocene: Scale, soil, and the settlement of Iceland. Icelander, is accurate to Photo 3 Retrieved January 29, 2018 from https://www-sciencedirect- com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/science/article/pii/S22133 Viking age long boat on Viking legend Leif Erikson proudly immortalized in front 0541530028X?via%3Dihub display at Viking World. of the famous Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland.