Letter - Runestone mission fueled by spice

To the editor:

The never-ending runestone debate: Templars, mystical alignments, mooring stones, Hudson Bay, secret codes, Paul Knutson, AWOL Greenlanders. Why do folks have a tendency to complicate things?

I’d like to add something to the pot, let it simmer and see if anyone stirs it. From a common sense point of view, here are the ingredients:

1. The Kensington Runestone (KRS) is the first recorded attempt to discover a western passage to the Orient.

2. The mission was funded by the Bryggen in Bergen, Norway.

3. The journey west from Vinland ended at Superior Bay.

4. The Dakota Indians escorted two-thirds of the Norse party to Mille Lacs Lake by way of the Old Superior Trail (by land).

5. Their camp was near Garrison Creek.

6. The 10 deaths were not all Norse. Some were Dakota Indians.

7. The bodies of the Dakota were brought back to the Kathio site for burial.

8. The Norse were moved downstream from Petaga Point to Aquipaguetin Island. The runestone (or at least most of it) was carved on this island.

9. Returning to the sea, Aquipaguetin Island to Garrison Creek equaled one day. Garrison Creek to Malmo (trail starts) equaled one day. Malmo to Superior equaled 12 days. Total is 14 days.

Why by land? Tree-ring records indicate 1362 was the last year of a four-year drought in the Minnesota/Wisconsin area. Water travel would have been difficult if not impossible.

The motivation for a 1,000 mile journey across an unknown continent was for spice: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper, to name a few.

Just why the runestone ended up in Kensington is another story. Remember, 60 percent of all runestones were moved from their original location. The KRS was no different.

The age of discovery was fueled by spice. The KRS mission was no different.

Jim Pluimer

Milaca, MN

Tags: opinion, letters