Whaler's grave Documentation of preserved skeleton and textiles from a grave excavated at Likneset in 2019. Photo: Lise Loktu ©The governor of Svalbard.

Likneset – Investigations of climate change and degradation of archaeological cultural environments in Svalbard

—

This project uses archaeological finds from Svalbard’s largest burial site, Likneset, to investigate the degradation of the archaeological cultural environment in Svalbard.

The aim is to document whether there has been increased degradation of whalers’ graves from the 1600-1700s as a result of climate change over the last 30 years.

This will be done by analysing well-preserved skeletons excavated at Likneset in the 1980s and comparing them with recently excavated skeletons from the same site.

The project will activate and disseminate a unique archaeological resource that has been little used as a source of knowledge.

In addition to the project leader Lise Loktu at NIKU, Elin T. Brødholt will assist with the osteological analyses.

  • Status
    In progress
  • Client
    Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund
  • Time
    2023-2024
Climate change indicator The unique burial material excavated on Svalbard can be used as an indicator of how climate change has affected the condition of preservation for archaeological cultural environments. Photo: Lise Loktu ©The governor of Svalbard.
Graveyard subject to erosion Likneset is the largest burial field on Svalbard with over 200 registered graves. The burial ground is very prone to erosion. Photo: Espen Olsen ©The governor of Svalbard.
Comparing with previous excavations By comparing graves excavated in the 1980s with recently excavated graves, we can shed light on whether the condition of the graves has changed over the past 30 years. Photogrammetry: Trygve Røysland ©Sysselmesteren på Svalbard, Illustration: Lise Loktu ©NIKU.