Early Norse Visits to North America

In the rather long continued labor of preparing this monograph, the author has had occasion to recognize gratefully the kindly willingness of scientific men and of scholars generally to extend a helping hand. He would especially mention the philological assistance of Mr. Juul Dieserud and his patient oral translation of the writings of Dr. Nansen and others before their appearance in English; the helpful criticism of my manuscript by Prof. Julius E. Olson; the explanation by the late Dr. W J McGee of the observed progressive changes of level along our seaboard by glacial recession and resultant continuing crustal wave action-a theory since corroborated by other authorities —which affords a reasonably trustworthy conception of the American Atlantic coast line and its conditions about the year 1000 A. D., and thus throws new light on the regions and special places intended by the names in the saga; the efficient aid of Mr. James Mooney in Gaelic and Indian problems; and the sympathetic interest of Mr. David Hutcheson who has furnished a copious supply of data on the subject supplemented by some personal field-work near one possible Hóp of the Norsemen.

1. THE NEW WORLD PRELUDE

Concerning the discovery of America before Columbus, there are many theories, fancies, and claims; but only two visits can be considered historic, namely, those of Leif Ericsson and Thorfinn Karlsefni. The Wineland or Vinland of these explorers has been so greatly misunderstood and has been made the basis of so much elaborate and contradictory explanation during the past three centuries that only the hope of clearing matters a little by patient research would perhaps justify one in adding to its volume. The importance

SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS, VOL. 59, No. 19

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Early Norse Visits to North America: With Ten Plates