Grænlendinga

Grænlendinga is the Old Norse term for the Norse settlers of Greenland. These Norse explorers and colonists, primarily originating from Iceland, established settlements in southern Greenland around the late 10th century. Erik the Red is credited with leading the initial expedition and founding the Eastern Settlement (Eystribyggð) and the Western Settlement (Vestribyggð). The Grænlendinga subsisted on a mixed economy of farming, raising livestock, and hunting. They developed a distinct culture in Greenland, adapting to the unique environment and maintaining contact with Iceland and Norway for some time. Their settlements thrived for several centuries, reaching a population estimated to be in the thousands at their peak. However, by the mid-15th century, the Norse settlements in Greenland had mysteriously disappeared. The exact reasons for their decline and eventual abandonment remain a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists, with theories ranging from climate change and dwindling trade to conflict with the Inuit and disease. The legacy of the Grænlendinga is preserved in sagas, archaeological findings, and the historical record of Norse exploration.