Archaeology in Antarctica

Andres Zarankin, Michael Pearson, Melisa A. Salerno, Andrés Zarankin

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN: 9780429574870
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Archaeology
• Index: Social Sciences

Archaeology in Antarctica outlines the history of archaeology in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic.

The book details for the first time all past archaeological work in Antarctica, relating to both its use for conservation and research purposes, drawing on published, unpublished and oral information. This work has addressed historic and current scientific bases, explorers' huts, whaling stations and sealing shelters. The ongoing and long-term research on the sealing shelters and sites in the South Shetland Islands features prominently. The archaeology enables new perspectives on the impact of global modernity and empire in the Antarctic and challenges established dominant discourses on the 'heroic' nature of human interaction with the continent. The work on sealing sites gives voice to the experiences of the sealer as a subaltern group previously largely overlooked by historical sources.

This book will appeal to students and researchers in archaeology, history and heritage as well as readers interested in the human and historical aspects of Antarctica's past and present.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1 Developing an understanding of archaeology in Antarctica – human interactions with a polar environment
• 2 The history of archaeological investigations in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic Islands
• 3 The archaeology of the South Shetland Islands
• 4 Approaching sealers’ practices and experiences
• Final thoughts
• Bibliography
• Appendix: Sealing sites identified in the South Shetland Islands (to 2018)
• Index