Aasivissuit-Nipisat: Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea

Aasivissuit-Nipisat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in western Greenland, representing a remarkable cultural landscape that demonstrates 4,200 years of human history in the Arctic. The site stretches from the ice cap in the east to the sea in the west, encompassing a complete Arctic ecosystem that sustained Inuit and their predecessors.

The site supports a rich array of Arctic wildlife that has sustained human populations for millennia. Caribou migrate through the area seasonally, following ancient routes. Marine mammals including seals, walrus, and various whale species frequent the coastal waters. Muskoxen graze on the tundra vegetation.

Vegetation ranges from sparse high Arctic tundra near the ice cap to more lush low Arctic communities near the coast. The plant cover includes various sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs such as Arctic willow and dwarf birch, and extensive areas of lichens and mosses.

The landscape is underlain by ancient Precambrian gneiss and granite, part of the Greenland Shield that represents some of Earth's oldest continental crust. Glacial and periglacial processes have shaped the terrain, creating U-shaped valleys, moraines, and characteristic Arctic landforms.

The climate is High Arctic, characterized by long, extremely cold winters and brief, cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop below -30°C, while summer temperatures rarely exceed 10°C. The area experiences midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter.

Human occupation of this landscape spans 4,200 years, beginning with the Saqqaq culture and continuing through Dorset and Thule cultures to modern Inuit. The site contains evidence of winter and summer camps, hunting blinds, caribou drive systems, and grave sites.

Aasivissuit-Nipisat was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018, recognizing its outstanding universal value as a cultural landscape demonstrating human adaptation to Arctic conditions. The site is managed collaboratively with Indigenous communities.

The site encompasses the traditional travel routes between coast and ice cap that have been used for thousands of years. Archaeological sites including tent rings, food caches, graves, and hunting structures dot the landscape.

Access to the site is primarily by float plane, boat, or helicopter from Happy Valley-Goose Bay or Cartwright. Visitor infrastructure is minimal to preserve the site's authenticity. Local guides are recommended for visits.

Conservation focuses on protecting both archaeological resources and the living cultural landscape. Climate change poses significant threats, including permafrost thaw that can damage archaeological sites. Management plans balance heritage protection with continued traditional use.