Researchproject B-1
Svalbard



Our research team at Kiel University is planning to carry out the Arctic Science Expedition to Svalbard in August 2023. The three-week expedition will focus on archaeological animal bone remains in southern Svalbard and on Edgeøya.
What drives us
The research project is investigating various bone remains on beaches along the Svalbard route, in particular former walrus rutting sites, so that archaeozoological work can be carried out there,
What we do
Citizen Science research data is complemented with drone imagery and digital modelling. One important site is Dolerittneset (Kapp Lee). Will it be possible to take palaeolimnological samples there to examine sediments for traces of human life?
In this way, palaeontological inferences can be drawn as to how far and since when humans have been influencing the sensitive Arctic environment. This will allow concepts to be developed on how to better design gentler and more environmentally benign polar tourism.

The aim of palaeoecology is to shed light on the connection between the environment, climate, and human influences, based on the environmental and climatic changes seen in the past.
Cabin selection
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Category A: Owner's cabin
Owner's cabin
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole -
Category B: Outside Cabin Deck 3
Outside Cabin Deck 3
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole -
Category C: Outside Cabin Deck 2
Outside Cabin Deck 2
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole -
Category D: Outside cabin with porthole
Outside cabin with porthole
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole -
Category E: Inside cabin
Inside cabin
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole -
Category F: Inside cabin 4 times occupancy
Inside cabin 4 times occupancy
These cabins are the right place for expedition enthusiasts. The furnishings are designed in a correspondingly nautical style. Our concept: authentic seafaring instead of luxury and consumption on board.
Cabin at a glance:
- Deck 2
- approx. 18 sqm
- Bathroom with shower
- Upper and lower bed 80 x 200 cm
- wardrobe
- minibar
- Porthole
Research trip highlights
- Archaeological animal bone remains on Svalbard.
- Individual group tour and workshop on the UN Seed Vault (Svalbard Global Seed Vault).
- Drone reconnaissance flights in search of former whaler hunting settlements.
- An outdoor expedition with a canoe tour and polar night hike.
- Barentsburg and the historic mines
- Animal bone analysis: genetics, stable isotopes, amino acid dating, collagen fingerprinting.
- Introduction to palaeoecology and palaeolimnology.
- Fundamentals of cartography, sample documentation, and sample analysis.
- Workshop on Citizen Science Public Relations
Research trip B-1 - Scientific Report on the Arctic
Expedition route
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Day 1Individual arrival in Longyerbyen. In the afternoon onboarding on MS Freya Stark in Svalbard.
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Day 2Individual group tour and workshop UN Seed Vault "Svalbard Global Seed Vault".
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Day 3The MS Freya Stark sets sail. Head for Barentsburg. Visit to the historic coal mines.
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Day 4The MS Freya Stark sets sail. Head for Barentsburg. Visit to the historic coal mines.
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Day 5Archaeological animal bone collections in southern Spitsbergen. Route dependent on weather.
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Day 6Archaeological animal bone assemblages in south-western Spitsbergen.
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Day 7At sea.mapping, documentation and sample evaluations.
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Day 8Search for former fox traps, which we use to study human-animal-environment relationships.
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Day 9Project work and interim result presentations. Landing in Ny-Ålesund in the afternoon.
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Day 10Animal bone analysis: genetics, stable isotopes, amino acid dating, collagen fingerprinting.
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Day 11Drone reconnaissance flights of former hunter settlements in northern Spitsbergen.
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Day 12Archaeological animal bone assemblages in south-western Spitsbergen.
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Day 13At sea. Animal bone analysis: final genetics, stable isotopes, amino acid dating.
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Day 14Offboarding and individual departure.
Research trip highlights
- Archaeological animal bone remains on Svalbard.
- Individual group tour and workshop on the UN Seed Vault (Svalbard Global Seed Vault).
- Drone reconnaissance flights in search of former whaler hunting settlements.
- An outdoor expedition with a canoe tour and polar night hike.
- Barentsburg and the historic mines
- Animal bone analysis: genetics, stable isotopes, amino acid dating, collagen fingerprinting.
- Introduction to palaeoecology and palaeolimnology.
- Fundamentals of cartography, sample documentation, and sample analysis.
- Workshop on Citizen Science Public Relations
Ship
Cabins
Deck plan
Bürgerwissenschaftliches Diplom
Scientific Report on the Arctic
