4. The Greenland Vikings - Land of the Midnight Sun

One of the most unlikely tales of a society’s fall is the incredible saga of the Vikings of Greenland. Find out how these European settlers built a society on the farthest edge of their world, and survived for centuries among some of the harshest conditions ever faced by man. Discover how this civilization was able to overcome the odds for so long, and examine the evidence about what happened to cause its final and mysterious collapse. Including Viking poetry, Inuit folktales and thousands upon thousands of walrus.

Credits:

Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas

Voice Actors:

Jacob Rollinson
Jake Barrett-Mills
Sebastian Garbacz
Special thanks to Jordan Ashley Moore (Ancient Literature Dude) for his readings of Old Norse poetry.

[thorvaldurthorsson]

I am from Iceland and noticed that a lot of the pictures shown are in deed from Iceland. In Iceland we still speak the language the viking spoke when they were sailing to North America and Greenland. We can easily read the books and the books were all written in Iceland. We look at Eric the Red and Thorfinnur Karlsefni as Icelanders :) Thanks for this interesting passage

[khan]

this is the kind of documentary and talent that should be shown on the History channel, not the garbage that's show all day and night

[oscar_eslava_]

It's inevitable that in a show named "Fall of civilizations" I always end with this melancholy in my spirit. But it's a so sweet melancholy - and so a first class lesson in History that I can't stop loving your work. Congrats on the quality of your work, Paul.

[KD-upif]

Content: 10
Narration: 10
Images: 10
Sound and Music: 10

Well done presentation..

[dphillipsc]

This was a masterpiece. I literary spent the rest of the day after finishing this just thinking about it. At the end I generally wanted to applaud the story telling here. Nothing short of amazing.

[mattislindehag]

When Eric the Red named Greenland he was engaging in a proud human tradition that would be passed down through the centuries, eventually giving us what we call "clickbait" today.

[thomaswhite]

This is ten times better than modern American TV

[Dj-pifm]

Mr Cooper, started watching this noon and still watching. I will watch them all because I have to. These are very enjoyable, your voice, research and attention to detail and feeling. Ive lived in Greenland, Newfoundland, Alaska and several very cold places and now for 23 yrs in Montana in the Rockies. These places are truly very soulful places and wild as they are quietly inspirational. I do write, and these series are a great escape from my focus to sweep me away and travel back in time like I love to do on the map. Wonderful work. Thank you.

[gudgo]

I have trained in Greenland as U.S. Marine on 4 separate occasions. It is a beautiful and haunting place.

[kickflare]

I'm a massive documentary buff [i binge watch a lot of documentaries, especially whilst i'm crocheting] and this is By far, the best series of documentaries, I've seen to date! Please keep up the great work and i look forward to seeing more of your content!

[jorgepechcasanova]

I'm feeling so moved by this beautiful documentary... I had always wanted to watch something like this about the lost Norsemen of Greenland. Thanks a lot. Outstanding work.

[stardresser]

I NEVER fail to be absolutely amazed by the your high level of production value and beauty of presentation in every one of your episodes. It is just amazing, and puts the major "documentary" sources to shame. I mean, you are basically explaining huge swathes of human history to us, in fascinating, understandable and beautiful ways. It just blows my mind. Thank you so so much. I don't know how you do it, but I am so so grateful.

[oginimeg]

Thanks! Paul, you put the "story" in history with a perfect balance of detail and sweep! Thanks

[tesscot]

I love how he explains all possible theories and discusses the evidence for each.

[tyraeast]

intelligent, thought provoking, nuanced non-dogmatic documentary. Absolutely top quality

[elizabethannegrey]

What an excellent series!! I am astounded at the hardihood of these settlers. To withstand such temperatures and harsh conditions is truly heroic.
I find the aerial shots of the ocean just mesmerising - the wave action, the heaving of the sea and foam coming into the shoreline is like a living canvass. These productions are truly first class, educational, beautifully narrated and absorbing. Thank you.

[palmtreep]

The idea of being all alone on Greenland surrounded by dark ice and sea is truly horrifying.

[conorsheehan]

I am from Limerick in Ireland . Limerick was founded in 922ad by a Norwegian Viking named Thormador Helgasson . He led an immense war fleet with around five thousand warriors .The Vikings ruled Limerick and it’s surroundings for about 50 years until the native Irish under king Brian Boru defeated them . There are still signs and Viking names here .

[trumpetmano]

I think I am one of many who have found this channel and are now thoroughly hooked.... You are an excellent story teller.

[dancambra]

What a phenomenal story. Told with poetic grace and such beautiful photography. Art, science and history! This is whole language education at the very best.