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Lanse aux Meadows RecreationistWhen you think about Vikings, the first picture that might come to mind is one of fierce warriors wearing horned hats. But did you know that the storied Scandinavians were also avid builders of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof">green-roofed</a> homes? While the three <a href="http://inhabitat.com/norway-green-roof-homes/">sod-topped longhouses</a> that sit on the remains of a 1,000-year-old Norse colony at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Anse_aux_Meadows">L'Anse aux Meadows</a> are just reconstructions, they were built to exemplify the <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com">sustainable architecture</a> that the Vikings knew about centuries before LEED. Located on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland in Canada, the grass-topped homes almost seem to disappear into the grassy landscape.1
Lanse aux Meadows Turf HousesThe settlement has been re-created for tourism, and actors in costume play the roles of what original settlers might have been like.2
Lanse aux Meadows houseWhile the original structures are long gone, historical reconstructions were erected in their footprints based on the traces that the Norse left behind.3
Lanse aux Meadows InteriorIn 1978, the site and its archaeological remains were declared a <a href="http://www.unesco.org/">UNESCO</a> World Heritage Site.4
Sod House CloseupThe homes are made of an inner frame of wood covered with thick patches of sod. The roofs are then also covered with sod that acts as a natural insulator.5
Sod-Covered BuildingsWhen it was a bustling town, the settlement had three timber and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/norway-green-roof-homes/">sod longhouses</a> as well as five smaller buildings that were built by the Vikings.6
Grass-Covered Sod HouseL'Anse aux Meadows is the only known site of a Norse village in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/canadian-waste-plant-will-power-itself-using-soda-and-beer/">Canada</a>, and in North America outside of Greenland.7
L'Anse Aux Meadows Viking Sod HouseA few modern amenities have been added to the reconstructed homes, for the sake of ventilation and extra light.8
L'Anse Aux Meadows Viking Sod HouseA narrow doorway leads inside: although this one has a door, the original might have only had skins draped over it to keep the wind out.9
L'Anse Aux Meadows Viking Sod HouseThe reconstructed village as seen from afar.10
L'Anse Aux Meadows Viking Sod HouseThe largest original Viking building in L'Anse aux Meadows. The entryway is in front and the sleeping quarters are in the center.11
L'Anse Aux Meadows Viking Sod HouseInside the homes, exhibits showcase the Viking lifestyle and artifacts.12
