The first Norse settlements in Greenland appeared around 1000CE, and lasted until the 14th or 15th century, at which point all of the settlements were abandoned and the settlers disappeared. It is still unknown why they were abandoned and exactly where the inhabitants moved to.

However, there are a few theories. This abandonment coincides with the Little Ice Age, a period of significant cooling. Because Greenland is a harsh environment to begin with it is thought the change in climate prompted emigration over a period of generations. 

Despite having no communication with any Greenlanders, people continued to believe the island was inhabited by the Norse until Norwegian missionary Hans Edege arrived in 1721. He found no trace of the Norse inhabitants, only Inuit.