Europeans no longer valued the main exports of the Greenlanders enough
to continue trade. In the thirteenth century, Europe's demand on
walrus tusks and furs declined causing the trade between Europe and
Norse Greenland to stop. The decrease in demand for walrus ivory began
due to the crusades in Africa, which opened up trade for elephant ivory
between Africa and Europe.
to continue trade. In the thirteenth century, Europe's demand on
walrus tusks and furs declined causing the trade between Europe and
Norse Greenland to stop. The decrease in demand for walrus ivory began
due to the crusades in Africa, which opened up trade for elephant ivory
between Africa and Europe.
Elephant ivory’s advantages in carving and its availability
drove walrus ivory from the market, and in the fourteen
hundreds there was a temporary decline
in demand for all types of ivory (Roesdahl 1998, 45).
drove walrus ivory from the market, and in the fourteen
hundreds there was a temporary decline
in demand for all types of ivory (Roesdahl 1998, 45).
In the ninth to twevlfth centuries, fur trade with Europe was very profitable and this trade was monopolized by the upper class citizens of society (Christian Keller 2010, 10). In the thirteenth century fur trade became less profitable for the suppliers in this case Norse settlers. Due to new Norwegian rule, the Greenlanders became subject to the harsh taxes of the new ruler, especially on on items like walrus furs.