Industrial archaeology in Antarctica

Abstract

Presents the industrial archaeology of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia. Tourism to these places is increasing as people take interest in early exploration, scientific discovery, and the history of the whaling industry. Sustainable tourism to this area of the world must face the challenge of conserving industrial vestiges. The climate is the primary obstacle, as buildings are susceptible to wind damage and rapid deterioration. Furthermore, the Antarctic climate has meant that many past buildings were insulated with asbestos. The solution has been to restrict tourists from approaching the buildings. To counteract the inevitable decay of the power stations, sailing vessels, and other structures associated with whaling, surveys have been made by Norwegian researchers and published in a comprehensive, illustrated volume. This article discusses the book published after the Norwegian survey, as well as steps made by the governments responsible for these locations in Antarctica to both conserve their history and provide tourists with an enriching experience.