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Image Credit: M. Walls, M. Kleist & P. Knudsen; Antiquity Publications Ltd.
Paleo Inuit Communities Reached Remote Greenland Islands 4500 Years Ago
Archaeological research has revealed that Paleo-Inuit communities crossed dangerous Arctic waters to reach remote islands off northwestern Greenland nearly 4,500 years ago. The findings demonstrate repeated journeys by entire groups, highlighting advanced seafaring skills and a strong maritime way of life.
The discoveries were made on the Kitsissut (Carey Islands), a cluster of small islands forming the westernmost point of Greenland. The islands lie within a polynya—an area of persistent open water surrounded by sea ice—known for its rich marine resources. Modern Inuit communities have long recognized the area as an important seasonal hunting ground.
Archaeological surveys documented nearly 300 features across three islands, including a notable concentration of 15 tent-ring dwellings on Isbjørne Island. These circular stone arrangements mark former tents with central hearths and indicate repeated occupation. Radiocarbon dating of animal remains places their use between approximately 4,000 and 4,475 years ago.
The scale and density of the dwellings suggest that Kitsissut was not visited incidentally but served as a regular destination. Reaching the islands required open-sea travel of at least 53 kilometres from the Greenland mainland, a journey likely undertaken in skin-covered boats during the brief Arctic summer.
Evidence from animal bones indicates that the islands were used to hunt seabirds, particularly thick-billed murres that nest in large numbers on nearby cliffs. The location of the dwellings directly below nesting areas supports this interpretation.
The findings show that Paleo-Inuit groups possessed sophisticated navigation abilities and watercraft technology, allowing them to exploit challenging marine environments. Rather than serving only as a corridor between regions, the Kitsissut area now appears to have been an important centre of Arctic innovation and seasonal community life.
Published on: 08-02-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Live Science