Landnám

Landnám refers to the Viking Age practice of settling and claiming land, particularly in places like Iceland and Greenland from the late 9th to early 10th centuries. The term translates to “land-taking” in Old Norse and describes how Norse settlers established farms and communities in previously uninhabited or sparsely populated areas. They would often create legal foundations for their claims, cultivating the land and adapting to its conditions while bringing their customs and culture. This significant movement shaped the development of these regions and contributed to the broader Viking expansion across Europe.