Dave Schoettinger’s Reviews > Ocean: A History of the Atlantic Before Columbus > Status Update

DNA analysis of contemporary Icelanders indicates that there genetic inheritance is from the British Isles almost as much as from Scandinavia. The author suggests that Norse settlers came to Iceland by way of Britain and Ireland where they captured slaves to help them once they reached their ultimate destination.

In the sixth, seventh and eighth centuries, Irish monks set sail in the Atlantic in small boats allowing the wind and currents take them wherever God wanted them to go. The author indicates that they possibly made it to Iceland and maybe the Azores. Being all celibate males, the author suggests that it was difficult for the monks to found permanent settlements.

Evaporation is so prevalent in the Mediterranean Sea that it is usually several feet lower than the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, a nearly continuous flow goes west to east through the Strait of Gibraltar and requiring vessels headed for the Atlantic to sail uphill.