People of North America:

1500 BC Greenland:
from the 10th century

From the hilltops of West Iceland, the summit of Greenland can be seen across 170 miles of
water. Around 981, this distant view captivated Viking adventurer Eric Thorvaldsson, also
known as Eric the Red. He has his reasons for leaving Iceland. He was convicted of
manslaughter and was deported for three years.

Eric takes his family along with his followers and cattle on a longship and sails them to different
peaks. They eventually made it to the southern tip of the island, near present-day Julian Herb,
where they survived the necessary three years.

At the end of his exile, Eric returned to Iceland and persuaded more settlers to join him.
Emphasizing his notoriety over his accuracy, he gives his territory the charming name of
Greenland. He set out again with his 25 longships, 14 of which completed his voyage (some
turned back). About 350 people land with the animals. The colony survived in this harsh climate
for four centuries. Ultimately, Greenland was abandoned in his early fifteenth century.

Meanwhile, in Greenland's early years, outposts were briefly established in North America.

At the end of his exile Eric returns to Iceland to persuade more settlers to join him. With a
better s