Paleo-Inuit Braved Icy Seas 4,500 Years Ago to Reach Remote Greenland Islands, Archaeologists Discover

Greenland - Ekhbary News Agency

Paleo-Inuit Braved Icy Seas 4,500 Years Ago to Reach Remote Greenland Islands, Archaeologists Discover

Archaeological remains discovered on the Kitsissut islands, situated off the northwest coast of Greenland, reveal that entire Paleo-Inuit communities regularly journeyed across the dangerous Arctic waters some 4,500 years ago. These new findings offer a deeper understanding of the advanced maritime lifestyle of these ancient peoples and their capacity to navigate challenging environments.

The Kitsissut island cluster, also known as the Carey Islands, comprises six small islands and represents the westernmost point of Greenland. These islands are strategically located within a unique marine environment known as a polynya – a semi-permanent area of open water amidst sea ice, making it an attractive and resource-rich zone. Contemporary Inuit have long recognized Kitsissut as an important site for hunting seabirds and collecting their eggs, prompting a team of archaeologists to investigate the islands for signs of prehistoric human activity.

A recent study published in the journal 'Antiquity' details the results of an archaeological survey conducted by researchers across three of these islands. The survey yielded nearly 300 archaeological features, most notably 15 Paleo-Inuit dwellings located on the tip of Isbjørne Island. Identified by stone rings that once supported tents with central hearths, these dwellings indicate that people undertook frequent and arduous journeys from mainland Greenland to the Kitsissut islands.

Dating of these archaeological sites, based on an animal bone discovered within one of the tent rings, places the period of occupation between approximately 4,000 and 4,475 years ago. Matthew Walls, the lead author of the study and an archaeologist at the University of Calgary, Canada, stated that the high density of tent rings in one location represents one of the largest concentrations found in the region. Walls posits that this suggests Kitsissut and its surrounding polynya served as a 'place of return,' rather than merely a one-off visit by a disoriented family.

While the precise methods by which the Paleo-Inuit reached Kitsissut remain elusive, researchers estimate the minimum journey from the mainland to the dwellings on Isbjørne Island to be approximately 53 kilometers (33 miles). These sea routes are characterized by unpredictable crosswinds, dense fog, and powerful currents, making for an exceptionally risky voyage. It is estimated that such a journey would have taken around 12 hours to complete in their characteristic wood-framed, skin-covered watercraft, akin to early kayaks.

Walls suggests that these expeditions likely occurred during the brief Arctic summer, when travel conditions would have been comparatively more favorable. It is believed that the Paleo-Inuit traveled to Kitsissut to hunt and gather eggs from thick-billed murres, a species of seabird that nests in large numbers during the summer months. The discovery of dwelling sites situated directly below the birds' nesting cliffs, coupled with the abundance of murre bones found around the tent rings, strongly supports this hypothesis.

The presence of numerous tent rings further supports the notion that entire communities, not just small hunting parties, were undertaking these challenging crossings. However, Walls notes that further excavation could provide a more comprehensive snapshot of community life. The Paleo-Inuit's ability to navigate frigid expanses of open water in kayak-like vessels to reach remote islands like Kitsissut not only demonstrates their profound commitment to a maritime existence but also highlights their sophisticated skills in navigation and watercraft technology.

Previously, archaeologists tended to view this region primarily as a 'crossroads' or a migration route between Canada and Greenland. However, the latest findings in Kitsissut and its polynya suggest that this area was, in itself, 'a place of innovation,' where these early humans developed advanced strategies to adapt to and exploit the rich resources of the harsh Arctic environment.

Greenland - Ekhbary News Agency