Russian hunters on Svalbard and the polar winter

Abstract

Ways of surviving in the High Arctic environment are among the most interesting problems addressed by archaeological research concerning hunting groups operating in these areas. The Svalbard archipelago affords a unique opportunity for comparative studies of Arctic survival with respect to representatives from two different European cultural centers: the hunters from northern Russia and the Western European whales. The present paper concentrates on the Russian way of dealing with the polar winter. Both the documentary sources and the elements of material culture recovered during archaeological exploration reveal a relatively high level of adaptation to Arctic conditions. -Author