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Qajartalik
61.3316° N, -71.4996° E
About
Qajartalik (Inuktitut for "where there is a kayak") is a petroglyph site located on the Qajartalik peninsula of Qikertaaluk Island, Nunavut, approximately 40 km southeast of Kangiqsujuaq, Quebec. The site consists of over 150 carvings of faces in soapstone. It was created by the Dorset people, the culture who inhabited the Canadian eastern Arctic and Greenland beginning approximately 2,200 years ago before disappearing approximately 1,000 years ago, and who inhabited the region prior to the Thule Inuit who arrived approximately 800 years ago. It is believed to be the northernmost rock art site in North America and is considered to be one of a kind. The site is currently on Canada's tentative list of sites proposed for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Thule_arrival
c. 800 years ago
avataq_inventory
1996
vandalism_reported
2006
Dorset_disappearance
c. 1,000 years ago
Dorset_presence_begins
c. 2,200 years ago
first_documentation_by_researcher
1960s
unesco_tentative_list_announcement
2017-12-20
unesco_nomination_submitted
2018-04-13
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Industrial and Craft Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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