Archeologists have uncovered the remnants of an ancient camp on a secluded High Arctic island that dates back over 4,000 years. This discovery sheds new light on the early inhabitants near the Canada-Greenland border who exploited a flourishing ecosystem that emerged at the time.
The Paleo-Inuit archaeological site was unearthed in Kitsissut, a rugged collection of islands between Greenland and Ellesmere Island. Accessing this location by boat today requires a challenging voyage of at least 53 kilometers through harsh High Arctic sea conditions.
Lead researcher Matthew Walls described the journey as a remarkable feat for ancient travelers to reach Kitsissut by watercraft. He estimated that reaching the island by canoe or kayak would have entailed 12 to 15 hours of strenuous paddling, risking sudden weather changes from calm to stormy conditions.
The site reveals evidence of repeated visits and habitation by many individuals over an extended period. Walls noted that it was a site where people returned consistently over time.
Collaborating with local Inuit and University of Greenland researchers Mari Kleist and Pauline Knudson, Walls conducted an extensive mapping of the archaeological site and artifacts between 2017 and 2019. The site features 18 tent rings on the beach ridges, indicating a long-term settlement with structures likely made of sealskin over driftwood frames.
Radiocarbon dating of a seabird bone found within one of the tent rings suggests the site’s age ranges from 4,000 to 4,400 years old, coinciding with the emergence of the Paleo-Inuit people in the High Arctic.
Around the same period, a rich ecosystem evolved in Kitsissut due to the formation of the Pikialosorsuaq or North Water polynya, a unique open-water channel in the sea ice. This ecological hotspot supported phytoplankton blooms, nurturing a diverse food chain vital for seabirds and marine mammals.
The presence of nesting seabird colonies and marine mammals in Kitsissut underscores the significance of Indigenous stewardship in preserving Arctic ecosystems. The study highlights the Paleo-Inuit’s advanced seafaring capabilities, indicating their ability to exploit various resources and impact ecosystems in the ancient Arctic region.
Lesley Howse, director of archeology at the Inuit Heritage Trust, emphasized the importance of adapting to the environment’s challenges, particularly the reliance on marine resources for survival in the North. The research underscores the Paleo-Inuit’s adeptness in utilizing available technologies to navigate and thrive in the Arctic environment.