The 17th- and 18th-century whalers’ graves on Svalbard, some of the Arctic’s unique and fragile archaeological sites, are under severe threat from climate change. Once preserved by permafrost and cold conditions, these graves are now deteriorating rapidly due to rising temperatures and environmental changes.
######################################################
Now exclusively try Amazon Prime and Prime Video free for 30 days!
##########################################################
A Unique Archaeological Record at Risk
The Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) has been studying the impact of climate change on Svalbard’s cultural heritage through its CLIMARCH project. The whalers’ burial sites at Likneset, Jensenvatnet, Smeerenburg, and Ytre Norskøya contain around 600 graves, making them a rare and invaluable archaeological record. Recent studies compare the condition of graves excavated in the 1980s with those unearthed between 2016 and 2019. Findings show that preservation conditions have worsened significantly over the past decades due to climate-induced changes.
Erosion and Permafrost Thawing
The rapid warming in Svalbard has led to increased precipitation, landslides, and coastal erosion. As the permafrost thaws and the active layer deepens, sediment leaching accelerates along coastal sites. At Likneset, many coffins have collapsed, exposing skeletal remains and textiles to oxygen, water, and microbial activity. These processes are causing faster degradation of organic materials, particularly textiles, compared to those found intact in earlier excavations.
Insights into Whalers’ Lives
Despite these challenges, the skeletons provide valuable insights into the lives of the whalers. Osteological analyses reveal signs of malnutrition, illness, and hard physical labor from a young age. Scurvy was likely a common cause of death due to limited access to vitamin C during long Arctic expeditions. Wear patterns on bones suggest repetitive upper-body movements associated with rowing or harpooning during whaling activities. DNA and isotopic studies further indicate that these individuals came from diverse European regions.
Urgency for Preservation Efforts
The ongoing degradation of these graves highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts. Researchers emphasize that these burial sites are irreplaceable sources of historical knowledge about Arctic whaling. Without intervention, much of this cultural heritage could be lost within years. NIKU’s work aims to document and preserve what remains while raising awareness about the impact of climate change on Arctic archaeology.
The whalers’ graves on Svalbard serve as a stark reminder of how climate change is threatening our shared cultural heritage. As permafrost continues to melt and erosion accelerates, preserving these sites becomes increasingly critical.
What do you think should be done to protect such irreplaceable historical records? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Based on content from www.niku.no and additional research.