L'Anse aux Meadows

L'Anse aux Meadows is an archaeological site at the northern tip of Newfoundland, where the remains of eight timber and sod structures lie along the rocky shore. The complex spreads across a terrace above a sheltered cove, with earthen ridges and depressions marking the outlines of the original buildings.

Excavations beginning in 1960 confirmed that Norse settlers from Greenland established an outpost here around the year 1000. The colony lasted only a few years before being abandoned, likely due to conflicts with indigenous groups.

The name comes from the French term for a small bay where Norse sailors anchored their ships. Inside the reconstructed houses, costumed interpreters spin wool and forge metal while visitors watch and ask questions about daily tasks.

The site opens from June through September and offers guided tours along with demonstrations that show daily life among the Norse settlers. The grounds sit on a windswept coastal strip, so warm clothing is recommended even in summer.

Archaeologists discovered bronze tools and an iron forge here, showing that the settlers worked metal on site. The location sits at the end of an ancient sea route that once linked Iceland, Greenland, and the North American coast.