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What are Greenland’s most significant cultural monuments?

The UNESCO Kujataa area in south Greenland has a rich heritage of sheep farming that dates back over a thousand years, starting with the Norse and continuing with the Inuit farming communities today.

Some of the most notable Norse sites include the cathedral and Bishop’s residence at Garðar in Igaliku and Erik the Red’s farm in Qassiarsuk. These sites have excellent preservation, with clear outlines of buildings still visible. The 14th-century Hvalsey church near Qaqortoq is especially impressive, with stone walls reaching up to 5-6 meters in height.

What do they tell us about the history?

While each of these sites is remarkable on its own, looking at the broader picture—including smaller Norse farm settlements—gives us valuable insights into Norse life. From the Norse settlement of Greenland in 985 AD to their eventual abandonment, the archaeology reveals the rise and fall of complex socio-economic structures over a span of 450-500 years.

Additionally, part of the region’s UNESCO designation includes the Inuit farmers (from the late 18th century to present), who now farm the same areas once occupied by the Norse, even utilizing Norse irrigation ditches. This continuity of farming life, where both Norse and Inuit communities have faced environmental challenges and thrived over time, is particularly fascinating.

Why is it important to presereve these sights?

These sites are not only rare and unique due to their exceptional preservation, but also because the Norse settlement in Greenland marks the furthest extent of European farming in the Arctic during this period.

Preserving them is crucial, not just for their architectural significance, but because the excavations provide valuable insights into the narratives of adaptation and survival in one of the most challenging environments. These stories are especially relevant today as we face the challenges of anthropogenic climate change across the Arctic.

From a scientific perspective, the archaeology of these sites is becoming increasingly valuable, though it is also more vulnerable. Over recent decades, we’ve witnessed significant degradation of organic materials found at these sites.

As the preservation of organic remains becomes more difficult, our focus shifts to documenting and salvaging whatever we can—whether it’s bone, wood, ivory, or even fabric—before these materials are lost and only stone remains.

What are the biggest threats to the sites?

Each archaeological site in Greenland faces unique challenges based on its location and conditions, meaning damage across heritage sites is not uniform. Changes vary depending on factors like terrain, proximity to the coast, sun exposure, and human land use.

However, a common thread emerges as average temperatures rise and permafrost melts, with more and more sites becoming threatened as these shifts progress northward. As temperatures climb and permafrost continues to melt—or waterlogged sites dry out—organic materials degrade, leaving only stone behind.

Coastal sites are particularly vulnerable to erosion, and the combination of rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events is a growing concern, not just in Greenland, but throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.

Another significant challenge facing the preservation of heritage sites across Greenland is the increase in tourism in recent years. The combined effects of climate change and increased human activity—especially on land that is already fragile and eroding—is a serious concern. As tourism numbers continue to grow, it’s something we are still learning to manage and adapt to.

Education for visitors is key, and we hope that increased awareness will help ensure a sustainable future for Greenland’s cultural heritage.

The biggest challenge in preserving organic materials is racing against time to rescue them before they’re lost forever. A colleague once compared it to being in a burning library, and trying to carry out as much as you can in your arms.

What new techniques are being used to study climate change affected sites?

In the past decade, we’ve seen some exciting progress in the techniques we use to study organic materials, especially with advancements in DNA and stable isotope analysis. These tools help us learn more from the organic materials we excavate, like reconstructing someone’s diet or tracing their ancestry. But what’s really shifting is the way we’re approaching our research methodologies. With time running out, we need to prioritize certain aspects of our research and pose very targeted questions.

Can archaeology help us understand climate change?

Archaeology might not be the first field you think of when it comes to climate change, but it actually offers a unique perspective on how past societies adapted—or didn’t—to environmental changes. It’s a chance to reflect on resilience and what we can learn from history as we navigate an uncertain future. One thing’s for sure: the pressure to dig up and preserve these increasingly fragile sites will only grow in the years ahead.

How can local communities support the preservation of threatened sites?

The impacts of climate change vary across the Arctic, so it’s crucial to understand how each site is being affected locally to take the right action. Long-term preservation comes down to consistent, regular monitoring. There are ongoing projects in Greenland developing methods to track preservation conditions both above and below ground.

A big part of ensuring these sites are protected for the future is local collaboration. Many archaeological sites are near or within modern settlements and farms, so working with locals who know the land intimately can create a strong sense of stewardship for these heritage sites.

Have thawing permafrost or melting ice revealed hidden sites?

Such discoveries are more common in areas like the Alps and Norway, where there is static or very slowly changing ice and snow patches but is rarer in Greenland where much of the ice is glacial and extremely active. Any material would be crushed and destroyed very quickly in a glacier. However, in Greenland recent research into Nunataks,mountains surrounded by glaciers, has uncovered evidence of human activity.

How are sites and artifacts being digitally preserved from climate change?

We approach this on a site-by-site basis, using tools like drone mapping and photogrammetry to document sites. For artifacts, without excavation and conservation, some materials will inevitably be lost. While we’re doing everything possible to monitor and rescue items before they degrade, at some point, it becomes a triage operation, and we have to make some difficult decisions.

How could losing heritage sites affect Greenland’s cultural identity?

The sheep farming and coastal hunting traditions are central to South Greenland’s cultural identity, from the Norse period to today. They’re tied to a deep connection with the landscape, encompassing language, customs, stories, and myths unique to the region. These elements are crucial for survival and thriving in such a challenging environment.

The archaeology of the region and its continuity with the living landscape are especially important for future generations, because if people have a deep-rooted connection to place, they are more likely to want to protect it and feel more empowered to adapt and innovate in the face of environmental changes.

Are Greenland’s preservation challenges similar to those in other Arctic regions?

Absolutely, sites and communities across the circumpolar north are facing similar challenges. For instance, I also work on an archaeology project in Alaska, where the site is under immediate threat from coastal erosion, permafrost melt, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events. This is devastating for archaeology, but climate change is also having a serious impact on the Indigenous Yup’ik community, particularly concerning their subsistence-based food security and safety as weather, seasonal changes, and wildlife become increasingly unpredictable.

What message would you give to those interested in exploring Greenland’s cultural heritage?

It’s important to remember that everyone plays a role in stewarding these heritage sites. We must all be aware of the best practices to help safeguard these fragile places for future generations.

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Documentary

Last update: 06. February 2025