Qilakitsoq

Qilakitsoq is a significant archaeological site located in West Greenland, known for its discovery of mummified Inuit bodies from the Thule period, dating back to approximately 1475 CE. The site provides valuable insights into the Thule culture's lifestyle, characterized by their hunter-gatherer existence and unique burial practices. The mummies were found in stone graves, naturally preserved due to the cold, dry conditions. Qilakitsoq's history spans from the Saqqaq culture's initial settlement around 2300 BCE, through the Thule culture's occupation beginning around 1000 CE, until its abandonment in the early 19th century. The site's archaeological significance is further underscored by its role as a repository of Greenlandic cultural heritage, with four well-preserved mummies now housed at the Greenland National Museum in Nuuk.