Over the years many different peoples inhabited the L'Anse aux Meadow site and many researchers have contributed to our understanding of this important archaeological site. The following is a brief historical summary of this site.
Prior to 1000 A.D. Native peoples began using this location.
1000 A.D. Norse Settlement
1500 to late 1800's Area is visited by French migratory fishermen and possibly Basque whalers.
1835 The present day community of L'Anse aux Meadows is founded by William Decker.
1914 W.A. Munn of Newfoundland hypothesizes that the Norse landed at L'Anse aux Meadows.
1960 Helge Ingstad visits L'Anse aux Meadows and is shown some overgrown ridges by George Decker, a local resident. Helge thinks that these ridges cover ancient buildings, and plans an excavation.
1961-68 Excavations led by Anne Stine Ingstad
1973-76 Further excavations undertaken by Parks Canada
1977 Site is designated a National Historic Site.
September 8, 1978 Site is recognized as one of the world's major archaeological properties and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1984 New Visitor Centre opens.
August 2, 1991 "Vinland Revisited - One Thousand years of Discovery," L'Anse
aux Meadows is visited by the Gaia, a replica viking ship on a
voyage from Norway to Washington D.C