Southern Baffin Island chert provenance project
Monitoring permafrost change at inland arctic archaeological sites
The earth is warming, and this warming is occurring in the Arctic three times faster than the rest of the planet. It is known that increases in surface air temperature result in increased permafrost temperatures, which, in turn, lead to accelerated permafrost thaw and degradation. Stable Arctic permafrost has until now facilitated the unparalleled preservation of millennia-old sites and artifacts. Global climate change is expected to have catastrophic impacts on the archaeological record of this region (which dates back nearly 12,000 years in some locations) because of its effect on the active layer and underlying permafrost.
In this project, we will use an archaeo-geophysical approach that combines ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, and electromagnetic conductivity to map in detail a large, at-risk archaeological site located on the Hone River, inland from Iqaluit, NU.
This research has four specific objectives: Objective #1 is to test the geophysical instrumentation in an Arctic archaeological context. Objective #2 is to evaluate the current stability of the permafrost across an entire site and determine whether any areas of the site are at differential risk. Objective #3 will be to use that information to develop a predictive model identifying the most vulnerable parts of similar sites. Objective #4 is to contribute data on permafrost stability from an area not presently monitored by climate scientists.
Setting up the GPR in Iqaluit, NU, July 2014
GPR scan taken in Iqaluit, NU, July 2014
Heritage in 3D: preserving the past with the tools of the future
Laser scan of chert endblade from LdFa-12 (photo credit: Dr. Amanda Blackburn)
Advances in laser surface scanning now make it possible for archaeologists to record, preserve, and analyze artifacts, and even entire sites, in 3D. From preserving a record of artifacts undergoing destructive analysis, to creating fly-through animations of remote sites for presentation to community partners, ArcTec researchers are exploring new applications for cutting edge laser scanning equipment in Arctic archaeology. Currently in its pilot stage, this project will result in the production of interactive maps of archaeological heritage on southern Baffin Island, which will allow online users to explore sites, manipulate artifacts, and experience the region's fascinating, ancient human landscape
LiDAR scan of LdFa-1, a large archaeological site in the interior of Southern Baffin Island
Eye of Queen Elizabeth from a Canadian dime imaged using the Olympus LEXT 4000 Laser measuring microscope
Project Funding and Acknowledgements
Social Sciences and Humanites Research Council of Canada
Insight Grant Program (435-2012-1176)
Standard Research Grants Program (410-2007-1252)
Northern Research Development GrantsProgram (851-2003-05)
Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response, National Centres of Excellence Program
Polar Continental Shelf Project/Natural Resources Canada
National Science and Engineering Research Council
Canada Research Chairs Program
Canadian Foundation for Innovation
John R. Evans Leaders' Fund
Manitoba Research Innovation Fund
Manitoba Heritage Grants Program
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Northern Scientific Training Program
University of Manitoba
Nunavut Research Institute
University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship Program
Manitoba Graduate Scholarship Program