Yes, I’ve also heard about the rune stone in Minnesota, but don’t know much about it. I’m also a total “Curse of Oak Island” nerd and they have found some Viking items, most recently an iron arrowhead. Latest theory is that Vikings traveled to the Holy Land with the Crusaders.
That iron arrowhead the Oak Island guys found is way past fascinating. They don’t seem to understand how difficult that thing is to make. Not to mention refining the iron enough to make it strong. Starting from scratch, even with my shop capability, it would take me a week to make the first one. It, in my view anyway, is another example of some way back lost manufacturing capability.
Probly another example of somebody’s Mom giving away the guy’s tools?
That iron arrowhead was actually unearthed by Robert Dunfield back in the 60's. Dunfield's specialty was bringing in a bulldozer and a giant crane and destroying as much evidence as he could afford to in a short amount of time.
There is no provenance on the 'arrowhead' but the Viking scholar (I think in Iceland) verified the 'possibility' that it could be Viking.
I think my interest in the show is more historical than treasure hunting. They are wisely using archaeologists and scientists, plus a metal testing specialist, to document the artifacts that they are finding. Gary Drayton, the metal detector specialist, has found way more things of historical interest than all the drilling and sweating has done. If they hope to change the Old World chronology of visits to the New World they will need an army of such specialists... that is just the nature of science - and history.
Personally I think they are discovering historical changes in New World history. Carbon wood dating is compelling but ancient coins less so; they were carried and traded for centuries. Mariners and ordinary seamen carried a lot of that sort of stuff in their pockets and sea chests. Also the Viking theory is thin - but interesting.