ULTIMAGRI: Norse Farming Impact in Greenland from Lacustrine Cores

Greenland's archaeological areas near Narsaq (60°N) and Nuuk (64°N) are the focus of this dataset. It uses radiocarbon dating and pollen analyses from lake sediment cores to establish the timing and environmental effects of Norse farming activities. The data was gathered by the SCIOPS organization, with cores taken in 2007 and analyses ongoing as of the 2009 expedition.

Use Cases

• Modeling the onset and development of Norse agropastoral activity based on pollen and non-pollen palynomorph signals.
• Establishing a timeline of human settlement impact using radiocarbon dating from lacustrine sequences.
• Comparing environmental conditions in archaeological areas with control sites based on geomorphic and micro-climatic criteria.

Strengths

• Data is derived from multiple proxy sources, including radiocarbon dating, pollen, and sedimentological analyses.
• Site selection followed defined regional and local criteria centered on high-density archaeological remains.
• Includes control sites outside archaeological areas selected for quasi-analogical conditions.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified as analyses are described as 'in progress'.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality and completeness require manual inspection.

Provenance

Source

SCIOPS organization, via NASA EarthData platform.

Collection Method

Lacustrine sediment cores were taken from selected sites in Greenland, with analyses including radiocarbon dating and palynology.

Time Range

Medieval period (Norse occupation) and prior, with core sampling occurring in 2007.

Freshness

Last updated date is unknown; data collection and analysis were ongoing as of 2009.

Geography

Greenland, specifically archaeological areas near Narsaq (60°N) and Nuuk (64°N), with a control site near Paamiut (62°N).