Greenland was Thoroughly Dependent on Scandinavia
The Greenlanders were dependent on imports from Scandinavia for survival. Around the 10th century AD, arctic Norway cod became a major factor in keeping Greenland in trade with Europe (Jones 1968, 274). Although most of their trading was done over relatively short distances through many ports on the Scandinavian coast (see Appendix A), a number of international trading centers originated (Fitzhugh 2000, 82). These international ports attracted merchants from throughout Europe, the Arab States, and Asia. Being that travel to and from Scandinavia was often treacherous; Viking ships could only sail at certain times during certain seasons. For example, trading ships usually sailed in one direction over summer, stayed during the winter due to ice hazards, and then returned the following summer (Fitzhugh 2000, 87).
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By the mid 14th century, regular ship traffic with Norway and Iceland ceased, which resulted in the Greenland Norse no longer being able to export their most valuable trade items, walrus tusks and seal pelts (Brøgger 1951, 137). This caused Greenland to become increasingly isolated from their mother countries. Since the Greenland Norse depended upon Scandinavia for important shelter-building resources, such as lumber and iron tools, the sporadic availability of the items made it very difficult for them to sustain a comfortable life on Greenland (Arneborg 2003, 126). With time it became more and more difficult for the Greenalnders to attract merchants from Europe to the island which in turn diminished their chances of survival (Jones 1968, 276). |