Medieval Norse Walrus Hunting in the High Arctic

Experimental insights into Greenland Norse seafaring capabilities

Archaeological Discoveries Uncover Norse Walrus Exploitation in the High Arctic

27 September 2024, Greenland – Groundbreaking archaeological research has unveiled new insights into the centuries-long walrus exploitation by Greenland Norse settlers, stretching far into the High Arctic. A team of international scientists employed high-resolution genomic analyses to track ancient walrus artefacts, revealing a previously uncharted range of ivory harvesting activities by the Norse settlers and their interactions with Indigenous Arctic communities. This discovery reshapes our understanding of medieval resource exploitation and early circumpolar globalisation, where trade networks connected remote Arctic regions to elite European markets.

The Greenland Norse and Walrus Ivory Trade

Walrus ivory was a highly coveted commodity in medieval Europe, used for crafting luxury items and religious artefacts. The Greenland Norse, descendants of Scandinavian settlers, had established settlements in southwestern Greenland by the late 10th century CE. These settlers, with a foothold in one of the most remote parts of the world, became intermediaries in the flourishing ivory trade, exporting walrus tusks to European centres. However, key questions about the source of their ivory, the extent of their hunting expeditions, and their interactions with Indigenous Arctic peoples had remained unresolved for centuries.

The study, led by Emily J. Ruiz-Puerta and her team of archaeologists and geneticists, used advanced DNA sequencing techniques to trace the origins of 31 walrus artefacts from Greenland Norse settlements and European trading hubs. These artefacts, primarily ivory tusks, were linked to specific hunting grounds across the Arctic, with some coming from distant areas like the North Water Polynya—a marine ecological hotspot located between Greenland and Canada.

Expanding the Norse Hunting Grounds

Initially, Norse settlers in Greenland exploited local walrus populations near their settlements, including those in Iceland and West Greenland. However, as demand for ivory increased in Europe, the settlers were forced to venture further into the Arctic, targeting walrus stocks in more remote regions. According to the study’s findings, the Greenland Norse began sourcing ivory from the North Water Polynya and possibly the Canadian Arctic as early as the 12th century.

“This geographic expansion of walrus hunting shows that the Norse were not only skilled hunters but also resilient explorers,” said Ruiz-Puerta. “They managed to adapt to changing economic and environmental pressures by expanding their hunting grounds into some of the harshest environments on the planet.”

This shift in hunting strategy is linked to the depletion of local walrus stocks and the increasing value of ivory in European markets. By the mid-13th century, the Greenland Norse had a near-monopoly on the supply of walrus ivory to Europe, with exports peaking around 1250 CE. The research highlights that some of the walrus artefacts recovered from European trade centres, such as Dublin, Sigtuna, and Trondheim, were sourced from the North Water Polynya, suggesting that the Norse were mounting long-range hunting expeditions to this distant hunting ground.

Encounters with Indigenous Arctic Peoples

One of the most intriguing aspects of the study is the evidence of encounters between the Greenland Norse and Indigenous Arctic peoples, including the Thule Inuit and the Tuniit (Late Dorset Pre-Inuit). The genetic analyses of the walrus artefacts indicate that the Norse may have relied not only on their hunting expeditions but also on trade with these Indigenous groups, who were active in the same Arctic regions.

The Thule Inuit, in particular, were expanding eastward from Alaska into Greenland during the same period, bringing with them advanced hunting technologies, such as the toggling harpoon, which allowed them to hunt walrus more efficiently. The study suggests that the Norse may have traded with the Thule Inuit to supplement their ivory supplies, especially as the Norse settlements began to struggle with maintaining long-range hunting expeditions in the face of environmental and economic challenges.

“This study opens up new possibilities for understanding the nature of Norse-Indigenous interactions in the Arctic,” said Ruiz-Puerta. “These encounters were likely a mix of cooperation and competition, with the Norse seeking to tap into Indigenous knowledge and resources to sustain their ivory trade.”

The Emergence of the Arctic Ivory Road

The research team posits that these interactions and the long-range hunting expeditions of the Norse settlers mark the beginning of what can be described as the “Arctic Ivory Road,” a precursor to the global trade networks that would later connect Europe, the Americas, and Asia. This early form of globalisation was driven by the high demand for luxury goods in European markets, with walrus ivory being one of the most valuable commodities of the time.

The Greenland Norse played a central role in this emerging Arctic trade network, acting as intermediaries between the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and the elite consumers in Europe. The study suggests that the Norse settlements in Greenland were not only sustained by farming and local hunting but also by their involvement in this lucrative trade, which provided them with the wealth needed to maintain their isolated communities.

However, the study also highlights the environmental and social consequences of this trade. The overexploitation of walrus stocks likely contributed to the eventual collapse of the Greenland Norse settlements in the 15th century, as local resources were depleted and the settlements became increasingly isolated from the rest of the world.

The Legacy of Norse Seafaring

The success of the Greenland Norse in sustaining their ivory trade for over 400 years was due in large part to their remarkable seafaring abilities. The study includes experimental reconstructions of Norse vessels, which ranged from small six-oared boats to larger “expeditionary” ships capable of carrying crews of up to 40 men. These ships allowed the Norse to navigate the treacherous waters of the Arctic, reaching distant hunting grounds like the North Water Polynya and returning with valuable ivory cargoes.

The researchers used historical records and modern-day sea trials to estimate the sailing times and routes used by the Norse. They concluded that the Norse expeditions to the North Water Polynya would have taken around 30 days, with crews spending several weeks harvesting walrus tusks before returning to their settlements in late summer, just before the onset of winter storms.

“The ability of the Greenland Norse to undertake such long and dangerous voyages is a testament to their resilience and adaptability,” said Greer Jarrett, a co-author of the study. “They were able to push the boundaries of their world, exploring and exploiting new resources in a way that connected the remote Arctic to the heart of medieval Europe.”

A New Chapter in Arctic History

The findings of this study provide a fresh perspective on the role of the Greenland Norse in the medieval world. Far from being isolated farmers eking out a living on the margins of the known world, the Norse settlers of Greenland were active participants in a global trade network that connected the Arctic to Europe.

The study also sheds light on the early stages of circumpolar globalisation, where interactions between European and Indigenous cultures began to shape the future of the Arctic. As Ruiz-Puerta and her team conclude, the Greenland Norse were not just hunters and traders—they were pioneers of a new kind of global economy, one that would have lasting impacts on the environment and cultures of the Arctic.

This discovery opens the door to further research on Norse-Indigenous interactions and the long-term effects of resource exploitation in the Arctic. With new archaeological methods and genomic techniques, future studies may continue to reveal the hidden history of the Arctic and its people, providing a deeper understanding of how the medieval world was connected by trade, exploration, and cultural exchange.