Archaeology And Environment In The Scoresby Sund Fjord

In 1983, during archaeological investigations of Jameson Land in Northeast Greenland, Kalaallit Nunaata Katersugaasivia (Grønlands Landsmuseum) excavated a winter dwelling from the last Thule Eskimo settlement in that area. The results of the excavation are the subject of this book, where they are analysed and presented from an ethno-archaeological point of view. The introductory section describes the natural conditions and living resources of the area, and is followed by a short historical/archaeological review of Northeast Greenland. Next, the results of the excavation are presented with a description of the finds, and the archaeological data is evaluated in relation to previous material from Northeast Greenland. This is followed by a section on the material and cultural development and adjustments made by the present population of the Scoresby Sund area, as regards ecology and resources. An ethno-archaeological analysis is undertaken on the basis of the ethnological material presented, and theories put forward to describe patterns of resource exploitation, mobility, seasonal movements etc. for the people living in the last Thule culture in the Scoresby Sund area. Opportunities for contact with European Whalers and other cultural developments are also discussed.

The rationale for this survey was the indication that the catch of polar bears in Northwest Greenland had increased since the early 1990s, simultaneously with marked changes in weather conditions, sea ice cover, and glaciers. Building on information provided by 72 polar bear hunters living in Greenland's towns of Qaanaaq and Upernavik, this study offers important discussions about polar bear biology, polar bear catch, climate change, and the effect of these changes on the polar bears. The survey also presents the demography of the catch of polar bears in the area during 1952-2005, described on the basis of 588 catches.

This book examines general questions and particular cases of climate-change related mobility, and explores their implications for the social sciences.

The Atlantic Walrus: Multidisciplinary insights into human-animal interactions addresses the key dimensions of long-term human walrus interactions across the Atlantic Arctic and subarctic regions, over the past millennia. This book brings together research from across the social and natural sciences to explore walrus biology, human culture, environmental conditions and their reciprocal effects. Together, 13 chapters of this book reconstruct the early evolution of walruses, walrus biology, the cultural significance and ecological impact of prehistoric and indigenous hunting practices, as well as the effects of commercial hunting and international trade. This book also examines historic and ongoing management strategies and, the importance of new research methodologies in revealing hitherto unknown details of the past, and concludes by discussing the future for Atlantic walruses in the face of climate change and increased human activities in the Arctic. This volume is an ideal resource for those who are seeking to understand an iconic Arctic species and its long and complex relationship with humans. This includes individuals and researchers with a personal or professional connection to walruses or the Arctic, as well as marine biologists, zoologists, conservationists, paleontologists, archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, indigenous communities, natural resource managers and government agencies. Provides succinct overviews of the biology of the Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) as well as human cultures within the North Atlantic Arctic and the surrounding region by consolidating research which until now has been scattered across fields and academic publications Editorial team of inter-disciplinary researchers ensuring the breadth, depth and integration of material covered throughout the volume Thirteen chapters, each authored by leading international researchers and experts on the Atlantic Walrus Considers the inter-relatedness and complexity of species biology, ecological change, human culture, and anthropogenic pressures onto the Atlantic Walrus, all while remaining accessible to readers from different disciplines or a more generalist audience Draws upon the latest methods in marine mammal and archaeological research Assesses historical management of the species, while also considering current and future conservation efforts in light of human activities and climate change Text supported by striking and insightful new maps and scientific illustrations, ideal for teaching and outreach

This book traces the evolution of the dog, from its origins about 15,000 years ago up to recent times. The timing of dog domestication receives attention, with comparisons between different genetics-based models and archaeological evidence. Allometric patterns between dogs and their ancestors, wolves, shed light on the nature of the morphological changes that dogs underwent. Dog burials highlight a unifying theme of the whole book: the development of a distinctive social bond between dogs and people; the book also explores why dogs and people relate so well to each other. Though cosmopolitan in overall scope, the greatest emphasis is on the New World, with an entire chapter devoted to dogs of the arctic regions, mostly in the New World. Discussion of several distinctive modern roles of dogs underscores the social bond between dogs and people.

With detailed essays on the Arctic's environment, wildlife, climate, history, exploration, resources, economics, politics, indigenous cultures and languages, conservation initiatives and more, this Encyclopedia is the only major work and comprehensive reference on this vast, complex, changing, and increasingly important part of the globe. Including 305 maps. This Encyclopedia is not only an interdisciplinary work of reference for all those involved in teaching or researching Arctic issues, but a fascinating and comprehensive resource for residents of the Arctic, and all those concerned with global environmental issues, sustainability, science, and human interactions with the environment.

This volume contains a selection of papers which have been revised and extended for publication from two working groups held at conferences at Galway (1992) and Göteborg (1993) which celebrated the quincentenary of Columbus' discovery of America in 1492. The pre-Columbian period of language contact is covered by articles on Old Norse in the Faroes, Scotland and Ireland, the Shetland dialect and Norn, and placenames in Iceland and Greenland. The articles on the post-Columbian period are wide-ranging and cover, in the Scandinavian context, the Scandinavian emigration, American Swedish, American Finnish, Swedish-Spanish and various aspects of Norwegian in America and also in Spitzbergen; in the British colonial context, English dialects in New England, Scottish Gaelic in Nova Scotia and Scots in North America (Maryland, the Appalachians and Virginia); in the context of the later continental mass emigration, American Dutch, Texas German, Croatian and Italian. Two papers deal with reverse emigration, that of Sicilian and Calabrian dialects, and the special case of Krio in Sierra Leone.