4,500-Year-Old Dwellings Reveal Paleo-Inuit Seafaring Skills in High Arctic

Nearly 4,500 years ago, a group of people known as the Paleo-Inuit undertook a remarkable journey to reach remote islands off the northwest coast of Greenland. New archaeological evidence reveals that these early Arctic inhabitants repeatedly braved treacherous open waters to access vital resources in this harsh environment.

The island cluster of Kitsissut, also known as the Carey Islands, represents the westernmost point of Greenland. Composed of six small islands, Kitsissut lies within a polynya – a unique marine environment characterized by a semipermanent area of open water surrounded by sea ice. Contemporary Inuit communities have long recognized Kitsissut as an important location for hunting seabirds and collecting eggs, prompting archaeologists to investigate the islands for signs of prehistoric activity.

A recent study, published on February 9, 2026, in the journal Antiquity, details the findings of an archaeological survey conducted on three of the islands. Researchers identified nearly 300 archaeological features, with a significant concentration of 15 Paleo-Inuit dwellings located at the tip of Isbjørne Island. The presence of these dwellings suggests that people made multiple trips from mainland Greenland to Kitsissut over time.

These dwellings were identified by circular arrangements of stones, indicating the former presence of tents with a central hearth. An animal bone discovered within one of the tent rings provided a date for the occupation, placing it between approximately 4,000 and 4,475 years ago.

“In a regional perspective, it is a lot of tent rings in one place, indeed one of the largest concentrations,” explained study lead author Matthew Walls, an archaeologist at the University of Calgary in Canada. This concentration suggests that Kitsissut and the surrounding polynya served as “a place of return,” rather than a chance stop for a group accidentally blown off course.

The journey from mainland Greenland to the dwellings on Isbjørne Island is at least 33 miles (53 kilometers). Researchers note that this route is characterized by unpredictable crosswinds, dense fog, and strong currents, making it an exceptionally risky undertaking. They estimate that the voyage would have taken approximately 12 hours to complete in a traditional skin-covered watercraft.

The timing of these voyages was likely limited to the warmer months. Walls stated, “They are almost certainly visiting during the warm season, which doesn’t last very long. The travel conditions also make it most likely that they are doing this in the brief summer.”

The Paleo-Inuit likely traveled to Kitsissut to hunt and gather eggs from the thick-billed murre, a seabird that nests in large colonies during the summer months. The location of the dwellings, directly below the nesting cliffs, and the presence of murre bones around the tent rings support this hypothesis.

“The number of rings does give the sense that it is a whole community making the crossing, rather than a small hunting party,” Walls added, suggesting the possibility of further excavation to gain a more detailed understanding of community life at the site.

The Paleo-Inuit’s repeated journeys to Kitsissut demonstrate their commitment to a maritime lifestyle and their advanced skills in navigation and watercraft technology. The researchers suggest that Kitsissut and the polynya should be viewed not merely as a passage between locations, but as a center of innovation.