NEWS Professor Malcolm Lillie went to a region in Jokkmokk to perform a field survey where he assessed the state of preservation of recorded archaeological sites. The activity was funded by the Arctic Centre at Umeå University.
Between 3 and 7 July 2023, Archaeology Professor Malcolm Lillie went to a region in Jokkmokk to perform a field survey where he assessed the state of preservation of recorded archaeological sites. The fieldwork was accompanied by Philip Jerand, Senior Research Assistant in Archaeology and Arctic Five Fellow, and an independent archaeologist from the UK, Andrew Fergusson, and it was funded by Arctic Centre at Umeå University.
Malcolm Lillie is a Docent and Professor in Archaeology at Umeå University, and a former Arctic Five Chair. He went to Jokkmokk for archaeological fieldwork, which was funded by the Arctic Centre.
– The funding was used for a field survey of seven areas in Jokkmokk with proven heritage resource: Aggala, Aspudden, Slubbonjarka, Suobbatjávrre, Jarrebäcken, Asjkasluokta and Tjievláluokta. We aimed to assess the state of preservation of the recorded archaeological sites in the areas, and also assess areas with no records of archaeological finds in order to assess whether there was an unproven potential for sites in these 'blank spots' on the map, Lillie describes.
This activity was fundamental in highlighting the issues with surveying in remote locations
Lillie says that the survey functioned as an evaluation of the potential for performing large-scale field surveys in the Arctic.
– This activity was fundamental in highlighting the issues with surveying in remote locations, and in demonstrating that the existing heritage database contains records that requires complete revision, as many sites were either impossible to locate due to poor referencing in geo-locational terms, or compromised through damage, and/or through removal by human activity.
What did the survey show?
Lillie explains that the survey showed signs that human impact compromises the heritage resource in the Arctic, and that human impact is increasing due to the warmer temperatures in the Arctic.
– It has been established by this assessment that anthropogenic impacts are compromising the integrity of the heritage resource in the Arctic. Considerable impacts were identified in areas with summer cabins, which reflects that as the Arctic warms up, people are spending more time in these regions and having a greater impact on the archaeological resource through activities such as roadworks, clearance, and other development activities in these areas. Similarly, sites on shorelines were difficult or impossible to locate, and it is probable that while erosion activity may have impacted these locations since they were originally recorded, the increase in human activity in these regions will compromise the record further.
Sámi hut at Settlement L1194:2155
Image Philip JerandWhat significance did the field survey have for the Arctic?
Upon this question, Lillie answers that beyond direct climate change impacts, the increasing activity linked to seasonal human exploitation of certain locations within the Arctic zone is going to increasingly impact upon an already vulnerable archaeological/heritage resource.
– Without regular survey it is obvious that unregulated development activities in locations around summer cabins is leading to the direct destruction and removal of the archaeological resource in these areas. In some respects, this loss may be related to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the archaeological sites within the Arctic zone on the part of the general public, but it is also apparent that a much broader range of stakeholders needs to be made aware of the issues that are linked to increased anthropogenic activity in the Arctic.
Lillie continues and explains where the responsibilities lie, and what they are.
– In terms of interdisciplinarity it is clearly in the state heritage authorities hands to provide a more robust legislation to ensure protection of the heritage resource in the Arctic, and for colleagues across disciplines to be aware of the various ways in which the archaeological resource of the Arctic can be impacted upon.