Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Cultural and social strategic behaviour of human communication and ideological exchange in the Arctic past and present  (Cross-cultural processes)

Outline
The study of cross-cultural processes has for long been a central subject in the social and human sciences, and accentuating the cultural and social preconditions for communication and contact between different groups the project points out strategic behaviour as a main theme.The sharply delineated interplay between Norse medieval farmers and Inuit hunters in Greenland has many parallels throughout the North and predates many encounters that formed the essence of later southern colonialism. Also earlier cross-cultural processes had taken places between different Inuit groups, the course of which however differs through prehistory.Thus the project pay attention to the intentions of the agents sought in archaeology and the attached source material of natural sciences, in history and social science. It will furthermore stress the scope for deepening dialogue between local Inuit and southern scientific models, so as to reconcile for example the established European perception of harshness with local perceptions of a landscape of plenty in order to conceptualise the environment as a connection of social relations and a field of multiple and contradictory agencies.In historical and colonial times the confrontation of the local arctic traditions with Christian culture has represented and still represents a fundamental challenge to the maintenance of cultural identity as expressed in religion, ethics and worldview.In the process of acculturation new forms of meaning emerge and are constantly negotiated as found in arctic animism where intentionality and agency of animals gives a particular sharpness to the question on the specifically human about being a person.Using archaeological, ethnohistoric and archival information, theology and comparative religion, environmental systems theory and ethology, the project gives new insight into the cross-cultural processes in the Arctic.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1. The study of cross-cultural processes in the Arctic enlarges the understanding and the importance of the environment as a cultural resource.2. The study put attention to the diachronic changes in human communication.3. Knowledge of cultural processes throughout the Arctic explains and links the spiritual worlds of peoples.4. Focusing cultural processes opens the cultural and social strategic behaviour of human communication and ideological exchange in the Arctic past and present.5. The well-preserved Arctic natural and social landscape shows multiple layers remain visible in parallel.6. The study of cross-cultural processes in the Arctic has an important element of educational activity and dissemination of cultural knowledge.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves the Greenland Research Centre at the National Museum of Denmark, National Museum of Greenland, University of Copenhagen, University of Greenland, Upernavik Museum, Nanortalik Museum, University of Tromsø, Canadian Museum of Civilization and University of Toronto.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Greenland, Norway and Canada.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/07-09/07      07/08-09/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Transport to and from the localities in question.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
NO

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Logistics depend on national policies for individual localities. Support can partly be provided by existing local museums and universities.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - The project is part of the ongoing research at the National Museum’s Greenland Research Centre endorsed by the Danish Research Council and in cooperation with the major of the in 1.7 mentioned institutions.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES
The project’s concept was part of the Dano-Greenlandic research programme 2000-2004 that if endorsed will become a centre of rotation in the 2005-2008 programme.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be coordinated from the Greenland Research Centre at the National Museum of Denmark in cooperation with the Greenland National Museum and the University of Greenland. Field courses, educational and publication programmes are in progress and will be available from 2006-07.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The EOC activities are fully developed when launching the project in 2007, and will take place through an international master programme in Arctic archaeology at the University of Copenhagen together with academic courses at the University’s Institute of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, through archaeological field schools in Greenland and exchange students programmes, through intensively cooperation with local museums and universities, and through web-communication and publication in international series such as Monographs on Greenland (Meddelelser om Grønland).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
As the project is partly based on museums, the data management will be part of the administrative work. Physical remains will after conservation handling also be stored electronically, written accounts will be accessible in paper reports and on the web, and publications be part of educational material.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will partly be provided by the participating institutions and by the national research councils. The project is a part of the EUROCORES suggestion to the ESF ‘Histories from the North: Environments, movements, narratives’ submitted in October 2004 by a group of 175 social and human scientists.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This letter of intent expresses the ideas from a handful of projects sent to the Danish IPY committee from institutions in Denmark and Greenland.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof. Dr Hans-Christian Gulløv
National Museum of Denmark
Frederiksholms Kanal 12
DK-1220 Copenhagen K
Denmark

Tel: 45-33473220
Mobile:
Fax: 45-33473322
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information