50 year old crucible provide further evidence of Norse presence in the Arctic

A stone vessel discovered over 50 years ago has been identified by Dr. Patricia Sutherland as further evidence of a Viking or Medieval Norse presence in Arctic Canada during the centuries around 1000 A.D.

As reported in Geoarchaeology the artifact was excavated 50 years ago from a site on Baffin Island. It was recently identified as a crucible that would have been used for melting bronze for use in ornaments or small items. This find further bolsters the evidence for the Norse traveling and establishing way points to trade for arctic trade goods such as walrus ivory and soft pelts that were in high demand in northern Europe.  

Further reading:

Wiley. “Evidence of Viking/Norse metalworking in Arctic Canada.” ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141215154800.htm (accessed December 16, 2014).

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121019-viking-outpost-second-new-canada-science-sutherland/

http://www.historymuseum.ca/research-and-collections/research/resources-for-scholars/essays-1/archaeology-1/patricia-sutherland/dorset-norse-interactions-in-the-canadian-eastern-arctic/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2876006/Canada-s-lost-Vikings-revealed-1-000-year-old-stone-vessel-earliest-evidence-Norse-metalwork-Atlantic.html