Artifact Suggests Vikings Reached U.S. Before Christopher Columbus

An artifact discovered off the tip of Canada is leading researchers to believe that Vikings touched down in the Americas prior to Christopher Columbus' excursion in 1492.

Observing the marks on a slice of bark found off L'Anse aux Meadows, a team of researchers had a look inside the artifact to observe the growth rings for a cluing pattern — also observing grooves on the bark's surface.

In an in-depth look at the hypothesis put forth by the study, the Daily Mail explained that a solar storm dating back to 992 AD created a distinct pattern within the wood. L'Anse aux Meadows has been regarded as an archaeological site which contains hints of past Nordic settlements on the land.

The grooves on the surface of the bark showcased the use of a sharpened tool — a technology not yet possessed by the Indigenous people at the time of the solar storm, further leading them to believe that Vikings fashioned the bark.

Professor Michael Dee, the research director behind the effort, back his team's observations on the solar storm's marking.

"The distinct uplift in radiocarbon production that occurred between 992 and 993 AD has been detected in tree-ring archives from all over the world," Dee claimed.

Placing the Vikings in this potential timeframe means they would've beaten Columbus to the Americas by 471 years.

Photo provided via Daily Mail:

Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela