Probably pure bull along the lines of "CHariots of the Gods".
Whne this farmer "found" the runestone, feelings among Scandianvian Americans were high over the issue of the "first" discovery. They had the Vinlanda Saga, and there was the popular belief that Columbus was here "first"
(Several millions of Indians apparently had no standing on the matter)
We now know that the Vinlanda Saga was true, having found REAL Viking Artifacts in Newfoundland - and elsewhere.
Its very likely the Norse were on the east coast of America possibly as far south as Delaware or Chesapeak Bay - and in 1000 A.D., not later as this "runestone" purports.
As for the hogwash about the Teutonic Knights - they were just that - Teutonic Knights - Germans - not Swedes. And they were active in fighting the Old Prussians, and Slavs who were still pagans in the early Middle Ages.
Again - Hogwash. Save your money.
"As for the hogwash about the Teutonic Knights - they were just that - Teutonic Knights - Germans - not Swedes. And they were active in fighting the Old Prussians, and Slavs who were still pagans in the early Middle Ages.
On my Swedish ancestor side, several of the names are from Prussia, Brandenburg, etc. This indicates to me that Germans migrated and remained in Sweden.
A Swedish King started the well known glass industry, in Smaland, bringing skilled artisans from the continent.
So it is not unreasonable for Germanic presence among the Nordic people at that time.
I'm not taking a position about Minnesota. Just providing some history about Scandinavia (in this case Sweden). I have no knowledge one way or the other, as to Germans also migrating to Norway--the more likely origin of travelers to the new world.
Those that made it to the Maritime Provinces (forget the name--Lief Ericson?), were Norwegian or Icelandic or Greenlanders (maybe those were all the same, back then).
Among other things, they were looking for lumber. Found themselves far from home, outnumbered by Skraelings, and then.....? Did some stay? Did others come back later?