High demand for walrus tusk in Europe helped Greenland's Norse colonies thrive. But declining demands and resources could help explain why they mysteriously disappeared in the 15th century.
suggests it may have been triggered by the over-exploitation of the community's most prized resource—walrus tusk.
"Norse Greenlanders needed to trade with Europe for iron and timber, and had mainly walrus products to export in exchange," lead author James H. Barrett from the University of Cambridge's Department of Archaeology said in"We suspect that decreasing values of walrus ivory in Europe meant more and more tusks were harvested to keep the Greenland colonies economically viable."
The results of that analysis suggest a shift to animals from an evolutionary branch of walrus predominantly found in the area around Baffin Bay, in the northwest of the country. This theory is supported by the presence of Norse artefacts among the remains of 13th and 14th century Inuit settlements, the researchers say.
As the supply chain dwindled, there appeared to be a growing preference on mainland Europe for elephant tusk, brought via the West African trade routes.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Running a marathon could help you live longer, study suggestsTraining for and completing the London marathon was associated with a four-year reduction in 'vascular age,' researchers found in a study tracking 138 healthy, first-time marathon runners
Read more »
Florida woman accused of hiring man to kill someone after trying to do it herselfVictoria Leigh Sargento-Graham allegedly told man she asked to kill for her that the 'world is cruel,' while suggesting suffocation as a method.
Read more »
How to watch Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints in the NFC wild-card round on SundayThe 13-3 Saints host the 10-6 Vikings on Sunday afternoon looking to for revenge two years on from the 'Minneapolis Miracle'.
Read more »
What You Should Actually Watch on Apple TV PlusCome for the Jen An/Reese Witherspoon face-off, stay for Emily Dickinson chugging opium.
Read more »