LASHIPA – Large Scale Historical Exploitation of Polar Areas

LASHIPA 9 will operate in Bellsund, Van Mijenfjorden, Van Keulenfjorden, Reserchefjorden, Hornsund and Hedgehogfjellet (Spitsbergen east coast) from 30 July to 15 August. LASHIPA 9 is a part of the data collection for the historical-archaeological research project LASHIPA (Large Scale Historical Exploitation of Polar Areas). The objective of the expedition is to collect archaeological data from British mining- and prospecting camps from the early 19th century on Spitsbergen. LASHIPA is a research project within the framework of the International Polar Year 2007–2008. The project objectives are to explain the development of industry in the polar areas from the 16th century until today and the consequences of that development for the geopolitical situation and the natural environment there. In LASHIPA, university departments and research institutes in Sweden, the Netherlands, USA, Russia, Norway and Great Britain cooperate and seek explanations and understandings from an international comparative perspective.

Research leader: Dag Avango, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), University of Groningen

Read more about the LASHIPA project