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Vikings at Dennis?

Was it at Dennis that “Vinland” of the Norse sagas was located? Over 50 years ago, under the supervision of the Massachusetts Archeological Society and the Cape Cod chamber of commerce, nearly fifty persons began to make a careful study of the land around Follins Pond, at Dennis, to see what they could find out about this.

It is the theory of some authorities on the subject that in A.D. 1,006, Leif Ericson and his Vikings set up a colony in this area. To help you grasp how long ago that was, let us remind you that it was even before William the Conqueror invaded England in A.D. 1,012.

One of the researchers, Dr. Pohl, a retired school teacher turned archeologist, found shore rocks in Follins Pond, in which he claimed there were holes that were drilled by the Vikings to hold iron pins for mooring their boats. He continued his investigation to Greenland, Iceland, and Norway. There, he said, is the same type of holes, used for the same purpose to this day.

Among objects uncovered at Dennis were the tops of posts about a foot underground. Society officials said the posts were arranged in a pattern that might have been that of either a Viking shipyard or drydock, both as to size and form.

There is much debate over this find as to whether the “drydock” matches the size of the ship or “knarr” used by Viking explorers.

Also of note are the studies of Bernard W. Powell:

Viking horse bone found at Follins Pond This specimen was originally in the keeping of Mr. Bert Heideman, a homeowner on the western side of Follins Pond. His land is situated on a bluff overlooking the entrance of the Mill Pond creek into the upper portion of Follins Pond. This is somewhat less than a mile north of the gulley where the MAS unearthed the ship’s shoring reported by Pohl.

Viking Nautical Methods - Mooring Holes Shortly after surveying the shores of Follins Pond in 1951, I met Mr. Pohl for the first time and discussed with him many intriguing aspects of the entire problem. One that he mentioned at that time - and which I have subsequently followed up in rather more detail - concerns the possible occurrence of “mooring holes”...

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Posted by Cape Cod - (website) on 04/12/06
Categories: Dennis, History
Keywords: dennis, history, legends, vikings

Comments:

I’m curious about this as well. I read one of Dr. Pohl’s books, which seems to present some pretty sound evidence, yet his theories do not seem to be widely accepted.

Posted by Trevor on 05/21/10 at 01:02 AM | #

I have read everything I have come by about the Vinlands journeys. I have also read Dr. Pohl’s book and find it most interesting. I am surprised that no one has picked up on this an put a little work into it.

If you’d like to discuss the matter, contact me at martin@martinroe.com

Posted by Martin Roe Eidhammer from Norway on 09/29/10 at 07:20 PM | #

i believe that i may have unearthed a site in east sandwich/west barnstable area…the stones/celt stones…tools are here…..a landscaping project unearthed the tops of stones very ancient with mortar…..fire pit eventually exposed….

Posted by sandra linnane from sandwich on 05/10/11 at 05:22 PM | #

Hello Sandra

Sounds interesting. Is there any more information about this?

Posted by Martin Roe Eidhammer from Norway on 05/13/11 at 04:58 PM | #

William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, not 1012.

Posted by Jane from Mass on 08/06/11 at 12:16 AM | #

I also think I know a place in west barnstable/sandwich..Shall we share?

Posted by Karen Maloney from sandwich ma on 11/26/11 at 12:53 PM | #

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