“Changing Cultures and Environment in the Arctic: Prehistory to Modern Times”

Impact
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
12:00 – 12:50 pm EDT
RECORDING AVAILABLE

Bill Fitzhugh
Curator of Archaeology; Director, Arctic Studies Center
National Museum of Natural History

How have peoples in the past dealt with changing climate and environment? Is the Arctic a “bell-weather”—the proverbial “canary in the mine”—for climate impacts on the wider world? Studying long-term historical change has profound application to modern issues today. Fitzhugh will lead you on an exploration of the impact of climate change on northern peoples, both ancient and modern. Using case studies of groups like the Vikings, the ancient Mongolians, Eskimos, and modern residents of arctic regions, he’ll discuss with you the range of human interactions with the environment in the frozen north—a frontline of studies of climate change.

Listen to an audio message from Bill Fitzhugh, and share your questions or comments about this topic below.

Posted in: Presentations on September 24th by Conference Coordinators

2 Comments

Comment by Carla Bitter — September 30, 2009 @ 12:53 pm

There is more fascinating research to discover through NMNH’s Arctic Studies Center:
http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/

The Arctic Studies Center invites you to explore the history of northern peoples, cultures, and environments and the issues that matter to northern residents today. Join us as we excavate arctic sites; support indigenous efforts to preserve cultural heritage; and work with communities and scholars to share the treasures preserved in museum collections and archives.

[Reply]
Comment by Bill Fitzhugh — September 30, 2009 @ 5:21 pm

The following question was asked during the live session:

Alice (from Vancouver): “I am curious as why you say ‘eskimo’ instead of ‘Inuit’?”

Although there was not enough time to answer this question in real time, Bill Fitzhugh has recorded the following audio response as a follow-up:

[Reply]