It seems that the conclusion of caused the collapse largely depends on the authors academic background. Environmentalists argue that deforestation and soil erosion caused environmental degradation which lead to the collapse, climatologists blame decreasing temperatures, archaeologists point to evidence of conflict between the Norse and Inuits, anthropologists argue that declining economic circumstances or failure to adapt to climate change are the culprits. However, it is too simplistic to point to only one factor as the ultimate reason for the collapse. Rather it is the combination of the factors and the connections between them that provide the most coherent interpretation of the evidence.
It is only recently with the increased multi-disciplinary research that these factors are being blended together to provide a more holistic picture of why Norse Greenland collapsed. Climate change invariably added pressure to an already stressed agricultural environment. It also made trade with Europe harder as it was more dangerous to travel by boat. consequently, decreased communication trade links with Europe which caused support from Europe to become more infrequent. Environmental degradation of pastoral land would have lead to the need for increased hunting which may have caused conflict with the Inuits over hunting grounds. This would have soured relations with the Inuits and made it less likely that the Inuits would want to teach the Norse and help them adapt to the colder conditions. In addition the hostilities would have cemented the Norse's prejudices against the Inuits and ensured that they try and maintain their own culture and not adapt to the undesirable Inuit way of life. The social hierarchy would have resisted any changes to the status-quo as a a nomadic way of life would have undermined their power and authority both politically and religiously. As you see, each factor played a role in the collapse of Norse Greenland and further research needs to be done in examining the connections and relationships between the factors to better determine the reasons for the collapse.
Finally, and most importantly, Norse Greenland provides us with an important analogue for our society. The failures of Norse Greenland serve as a warning for the obstacles our society must overcome in order to survive the potential impacts of anthropogenically-driven climate change.
So, that's the end of it. Thank you for tuning in each week, and I hope you've found the blog interesting or at the very least make good use of the sources for your revision in the summer.
It is only recently with the increased multi-disciplinary research that these factors are being blended together to provide a more holistic picture of why Norse Greenland collapsed. Climate change invariably added pressure to an already stressed agricultural environment. It also made trade with Europe harder as it was more dangerous to travel by boat. consequently, decreased communication trade links with Europe which caused support from Europe to become more infrequent. Environmental degradation of pastoral land would have lead to the need for increased hunting which may have caused conflict with the Inuits over hunting grounds. This would have soured relations with the Inuits and made it less likely that the Inuits would want to teach the Norse and help them adapt to the colder conditions. In addition the hostilities would have cemented the Norse's prejudices against the Inuits and ensured that they try and maintain their own culture and not adapt to the undesirable Inuit way of life. The social hierarchy would have resisted any changes to the status-quo as a a nomadic way of life would have undermined their power and authority both politically and religiously. As you see, each factor played a role in the collapse of Norse Greenland and further research needs to be done in examining the connections and relationships between the factors to better determine the reasons for the collapse.
Finally, and most importantly, Norse Greenland provides us with an important analogue for our society. The failures of Norse Greenland serve as a warning for the obstacles our society must overcome in order to survive the potential impacts of anthropogenically-driven climate change.
So, that's the end of it. Thank you for tuning in each week, and I hope you've found the blog interesting or at the very least make good use of the sources for your revision in the summer.
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