Search
 
Commentary

Archaeology and the big freeze – Part one

Lessons from the Inuits in Greenland apply to insurance today.

By Ken Brownlee, CPCU | Updated on December 25, 2017
Economic and climate changes impacted the lives of those in 14th-century Greenland and provide insights for today's globalization focus. (Photo: Shutterstock)

In his treatise, “Darkness at the Edge of the World” in the March 2017 issue of Smithsonian, environmental specialist Tim Folger focuses on the settlements of Hvalsey, now called Gardar, at the southwestern tip of Greenland, perhaps a hundred miles southeast of Nuuk, an Inuit settlement further up Greenland’s west coast.

Settled by Eric the Red sailing from Iceland, this Nordic community was inhabited by at least 1,500 or more people from the tenth to the thirteenth century. Then the Norsemen disappeared. Where? No one knows, but they departed in unison; farmhouse doors were closed, gates latched, and the stones of their large cathedral, with part of the bishop’s crosier carved from narwhal bone and his ring remain, although the roof and stained glass are gone.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free
PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader.

INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • All PropertyCasualty360.com news coverage, best practices, and in-depth analysis.
  • Educational webcasts, resources from industry leaders, and informative newsletters.
  • Other award-winning websites including BenefitsPRO.com and ThinkAdvisor.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

PropertyCasualty360

Join PropertyCasualty360

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed decisions for your P&C insurance business. Join PropertyCasualty360.com now!

  • Unlimited access to PropertyCasualty360.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including BenefitsPRO.com, ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on PropertyCasualty360, National Underwriter, Claims and ALM events

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join PropertyCasualty360

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.