Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Inglefield Land Archaeology Project: Culture Contact and Human Ecology at the Entrance to Greenland  (ILAP)

Outline
The Inglefield Land Archaeology Project (ILAP) focuses primarily on last 300 years, the proto-history and history of the Inughuit on the eastern side of Smith Sound, at the northern extremity of the North Water polynya in northwestern Greenland. The dynamics of culture change in Inglefield Land, and indeed in the entire Smith Sound region at this time, are the result of a complex interplay of climatic change and historical contingencies. At the beginning of this period, proto-historic Inughuit occupied the region as maritime-oriented hunter-gatherers. Subsequently, they experienced dramatic changes, ranging from the loss and eventual reintroduction of key technological elements, to changing climatic conditions—from the Little Ice Age (ca. 1350) through a warming trend around 1850—and the nearly overwhelming influence of Robert E. Peary’s expeditions between 1891 and 1909. This project focuses on archaeological and ethnohistorical investigations into the period when Inughuit, Baffin Island Inuit, Europeans, and Americans all frequented the area. Already, one season of ethnohistoric research in Qaanaaq and archaeological survey in Inglefield Land in the summer of 2004, has identified numerous sites pertinent to addressing these questions. Following a second season in the summer of 2005 we will select the most promising locations for more detailed studies in 2006-08. Funding for the 2005 field season is in place (NSF OPP-0330981). We will be applying to NSF and other agencies for funding for subsequent field seasons. Our study of northwestern Greenland promises to add to current discussions of cultural adaptation and cultural transmission and to enhance existing models of Canadian Inuit and west-central Greenland culture-contact situations. These latter studies incorporate archaeological, climatic, historic, and ethnohistoric data to understand complex changes in small scale northern societies during the contact period. It also will add to current discussions on adaptation and maladaptation resulting from culture contact, and on the impact of climate change and culture change on small, island and island-like populations. This research also has the potential to contribute to studies of island biogeography and modern conservation biology. Zooarchaeological data is currently being used to provide a historical context for management of northern muskox and caribou populations. ILAP thus addresses a number of the themes identified for IPY, most particularly quantifying past and present human and environmental change, polar-global connections, and the processes that shape cultural resilience in northern communities. This project is also linked to two other pre-proposals submitted to IPY– “Beyond the Pole: Robert E. Peary and History of American Arctic Exploration” proposed by Susan Kaplan of The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and “Arctic Connections through Space and Time: The Archaeology of Inuit Interaction” proposed by Max Friesen of the University of Toronto.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This research addresses a number of the IPY themes. Zooarchaeological and ethnohistorical data will help quantify past and present environmental and social change, and the links between them. Similarly the archaeological data will address cultural, historical and social process related to sustainability and resilience of local Inughuit groups. The significant role that contact with Euro-Americans and Baffin Island Inuit played in recent Inughuit history underscores the role of global connections in even the most remote communities since the 19th century.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
ILAP benefits from direct and close collaboration with the Greenland National Museum and Archives (Hans Lange) and the Thule Museum (David Qaavigaq). Students involved in the project will be drawn from the PIs institutions, as well as from Ilisimatusarfik. The project is also linked to broader projects involving collaborators in Canada and Denmark.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fieldwork will take place at archaeological sites in Inglefield Land, Avannaarsua, Greenland.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2006-07/2006      06/2007-07/2007      06/2008-07/2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
None.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator

Logistic support will be arranged through NSF (pending funding), and VECO Polar Resources, which will coordinate charters of aircraft from Greenland Air, and military support in the form of flights into and support at Thule Airbase.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
ILAP is currently funded by NSF (through the 2005 fieldseason).

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?
Exp

This phase of ILAP is an extension of a current project, which involves initial archaeological survey of the region.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project is managed by the two PIs who supervise a postdoctoral fellow, graduate, and undergraduate students, and in collaboration with Greenlandic associates.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The material remains recovered during excavation will remain in Greenland, in accordance with Greenlandic heritage legislation. Paper and digital records will be archived with the objects, with duplicate sets at UC Davis and The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum. On-line access will be provided through the project web page.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought from NSF and other granting agencies, such as the National Geographic Society, which has a long-standing interest in this region.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Genevieve LeMoine
The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum and Arctic Studies Center, Bowdoin College
9500 College Station
Brunswick, Maine
04011-8495
USA

Tel: 207-725-3304
Mobile: no
Fax: 207-725-3499
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation