Prior to the year 1000, Europeans hadn't yet reached North America, and the farthest feat of sea travel was the Vikings' invasion of Britain. But how, then, to explain the presence of blond-haired people in Maya murals at Chichén Itzá, Mexico? Could Vikings had found their way to the Americas during the height of the Maya empire? Drawing on 30 years of research, Valerie Hansen presents a compelling account of first encounters between very different societies, which sparked conflict and collaboration in a way that is reminiscent of our contemporary moment.