SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES FOR ESTIMATING COASTAL PLAIN DEVELOPMENT IN THE RENARDODDEN AREA, BELLSUND, SPITSBERGEN

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1 Marek E. JASIŃSKI University of Trondheim/Vilenskapsmuseet UMCS, Lublin, 1995 Department of Archaeology N-7004 Trondheim, NORWAY Piotr ZAGÓRSKI Department of Geomorphology Institute of Earth Sciences, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University Akademicka Lublin, POLAND Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES FOR ESTIMATING COASTAL PLAIN DEVELOPMENT IN THE RENARDODDEN AREA, BELLSUND, SPITSBERGEN INTRODUCTION Joint archaeological/geomorphological research in Svalbard seems to offer opportunities for a better understanding of the cultural and natural processes taking place in the archipelago. This is the main reason for annual field cooperation between Norwegian and Russian archaeologists and Polish geomorphologists in the Bellsund and Recherche Fjord area of Spitsbergen. In 1995, preliminary archaeological/geomorphological studies were carried out in the Renardodden area on the south coast of Bellsund by staff from the Department of Geomorphology at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Trondheim. Archaeological investigations of sites there (Jasiński et al. 1993, Jasiński & Zavyalov 1995) have provided data on erosion and accumulation in historical times. In turn, studies of such processes have provided data for evaluating the development of cultural layers on archaeological sites. MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND GEODYNAMIC CONDITIONS OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE RENARDODDEN AREA Renardodden is situated at the mouth of Recherche Fjord in the northwest part od Wedel Jarlsberg Land. It is an accumulative marine terrace 1-6 m a.s.l. (Harasimiuk & Jezierski, 1988) composed of material derived from the cliff in Skilvika and the delta of the River Scott which enters Recherche Fjord 35

2 approximately 600 m southwest of Renardodden (Fig. 1, Photo 1). The material consists mainly of gravels of Proterozoic and Palaeozoic metamorphic rocks (Hecla Hoek Formation) and Palaeogene shales, mudstones and sandstones with coal fragments (Krasilshchikov & Kovaleva, 1979; Dallmann et al., 1990; Hjelle, 1993). The marine terrace is formed of a system of storm ridges and a broad beach of sandy-gravelly sediments. In the southwest, it is bordered by a inactive cliff of a 35 m terrace, which is being affected by solifluction. This cliff consists of Pleistocene gravels and boulder clays overlying mudstones, sands and marine gravels (Troitsky et al., 1979, Landvik et al., 1987, Pękala & Repelewska-Pękalowa, 1990) deposited on an erosion platform of Tertiary sandstones (Dallmann et al., 1990). Strong erosive and accumulative processes caused by waves, tides and coastal currents are observed in the Renardodden area. Deposition of fluvioglacial material forms a temporary delta in the estuary of the River Scott. The current passing along the northwest coast and powerful waves remove this material, carrying it along the shore in a northerly direction (Harasimiuk & Król, 1992). Another current moving east from Skilvika erodes the Renardodden beach in the north and adds to it in the east. Thus, the cape is influenced by two coastal currents heavily loaded with terrigenous material. However, a major force causing transport and, above all, deposition of material on the shore, is strong waves, particularly during autumn storms. These promote intensive marine accumulation, illustrated by the rapid growth of the beach and the creation or destruction of storm ridges. These processes can be estimated from the terrace configuration as well as by the position and state of preservation of archaeological sites (Jasiński et al., 1993). ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES The three archaeological sites so far recognised in the Renardodden area, belong to two phases of Svalbard history: west European whaling in the 17th century and Russian hunting (Jasiński, 1993). R e n a r d o d d e n 1 stands on the promontory itself (Jasiński et al., 1993: 75-77; Fig. 1, 2, 3, За, 4). Preliminary excavations in 1995 (Jasiński & Zavyalov, 1995) confirmed earlier assumptions about the Russian origin of this site (Krawczyk & Reder, 1989; Jasiński et al., 1993: 75-77). It marks the remains of a station belonging to walrus hunters from the Pomorye area (the White Sea coast). The artifacts found indicate a relatively late date - probably the first half of the 19th century (Jasiński & Zavyalov, 1995) (Photo 2). R e n a r d o d d e n 2 is located 97 m south of Renardodden 1 (Jasiński et al., 1993: 77-78; Figs. 2, 5, 5a, 5b) and consists of eight structures which are probably the remains of a west European whaling station from the 17th century. 36

3 R e n a r d o d d e n 3 stands 213 m south of Renardodden 2 (Jasiński et al., 1993:78-80; Figs. 2,6,6a, 8). It comprises the sites of five tents (?) and seven open fireplaces. The tent sites are only represented by characteristic mounds of pebbles with rows of stones on the top. Artifacts found on the surface suggest that the site represents a west European whaling station from the 17th century. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COASTAL ZONE BASED ON GEOMORPHOLOG1CAL STUDIES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA To determine the changes in the coastal zone in this area a profile (5.15 m long and 0.7 m deep) was made as an extension of archaeological trial trench В excavated in 1995 at Renardodden 1 (Jasiński & Zavyalov, 1995), (Fig. 2). It was found that 5 m from the centre of the site, the occupation layer was covered by gravelly-sandy material at a depth of 0.25 m. The occupation layer, which had already been largely destroyed, continued to decrease under the gravel (Photo 3). Alternating layers of gravel and sand overlying the occupation layer illustrate the action of strong waves in the period after the buildings were demolished - probably in the first half of the 19th century. The site is now just within the reach of storm waves (Fig. ЗА). An 18 m wide snow bank (zone A), also called the inner beach (Jezierski, 1992), is beyond the reach of waves in summer. Zone В is an area covered by gravelly-sandy material that increases in thickness towards the sea. This zone also contains characteristic gravel mounds formed in response to the melting of ice buried by material that accumulates during storms. An area of discontinuous gravelly-sandy material (zone C), 42 m from the high tide level, is also distinguished. To provide better data on marine erosion and accumulation, a topographical profile was drawn about 100 m southeast of Renardodden 1 (Fig. 3B). Two distinct, old storm ridges were found here which are morphologically marked in the direction of the River Scott. The Renardodden 1 site stands on storm ridge III. The other two sites from the whaling period are on storm ridges IV (Renardodden 3) and V (Renardodden 2), respectively. During autumn storms, considerable quantities of gravel and sand are thrown across the inner beach (or snow bank) to accumulate on the slope of storm ridge II, more than 30 m from the high tide level. The inner beach is marked by deep depressions (up to 5 m wide and 1.5 m deep) filled with gravelly-sandy material and is separated from the sea by the present storm ridge (Photo 4). 37

4 STAGES OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE RENARDODDEN 1 SITE Renardodden 1 belongs to a group of sites with quite atypical topographical location, recorded by archaeologists on Spitsbergen (Chochorowski & Jasiński, 1993). Its low position above sea level and the close proximity of the sea have resulted in partial destruction of the site by the sea. Why should Russian walrus hunters choose such a location for their station? Geomorphological studies and archaeological excavations reveal several stages of coastal development at Renardodden. Probably at the end of the 18th or the beginning of the 19th century, a Russian hunting station was built on the storm ridge which was then beyond the reach of the sea. Probably around the middle of the 19th century, the coast began to be increasingly eroded. The remains of the station came within the reach of waves, as shown by the reduction of the occupation layęr beneath younger marine sediments. The old storm ridge was damaged by storm waves and pieces of brick and organic relicts were spread over the inner beach zone. After this period of erosion, a new storm ridge formed in a relatively short time through the increased supply of material to the shore. The archaeological site then began to be buried, the storm ridge gradually grew and the shore zone extended. The present renewed destruction of the storm ridge may be due to the recession of the Scott Glacier and the reduced supply of material to the shore zone. These preliminary results of geomorphological research on an archaeological site in Svalbard show the potential of such joint work in the archipelago. They can help to solve at least some of the serious problems which the two disciplines have to deal with in this part of the Arctic. Archaeological investigations give geomorphologists better dating information. Geomorphological results, in turn, help to explain some of the features archaeologists try to explain. REFERENCES Chochorowski J., Jasiński M. E., 1993: Topography, structure and chronology of Russian hunting stations on the west coast of Spitsbergen. In: Jasiński, Marek E., Pomors in Grumant. Archaeological studies of Russian hunting stations in Svalbard. Vol. II, Part 3, 33 pp. Universitetet i Tromso. Dallmann W. K., Hjelle A., Ohta Y., Salvigsen O., Bjornerud M. G., Hauser E. C., Mäher H. D., Craddock C., 1990: Geological Map of Svalbard 1:100,000 Sheet BUG Van Keulenfjorden, Norsk Polarinstitutt, Oslo. Harasimiuk M., Jezierski W., 1988: Typy wybrzeża Południowego Bellsundu. Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen, UMCS Lublin, Harasimiuk M., Król Т., 1992: The dynamie of morphogenetic and sedimentary processes in the estuary segments of river valleys in the Recherche Fiord (Western Spitsbergen). Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen, UMCS Lublin,

5 Hjelle A., 1993: Geology of Svalbard. Norsk PolarinstituU, Oslo, 162 pp. Jasiński M. E., 1993: Pomors in Grumant. Archaeological studies of Russian hunting stations in Svalbard. Universitetet i Tromso. Jasiński M. E., Starkov V. F., Zavyalov V. I., Zimin E. N., 1993: Archaeological sites at cape Renard, Bellsund, Spitsbergen. XX Polar Symposium, Lublin, Jasiński M. E., Zavyalov V. I., 1995: Archaeological excavations of a Russian hunting station at the Renardodden 1 site, Recherche Fjord, Spitsbergen. Field Work Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen, UMCS Lublin. Jezierski W., 1992: Spatial changeability of dynamics of marine sediment processes in Calypsostranda Region (Recherche Fiord, Western Spitsbergen). Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen, UMCS Lublin, Krasilshchikov A. A., Kovaleva G. A., 1979: Precambrian rock-stratigraphic units of the west coast of Spitsbergen. Norsk PolarinstituU, Oslo. Landvik J. Y., Mangerud J., Salvigsen O., 1987: The Late Weichselian and Holocene shoreline displacement on the west-central coast of Svalbard. Polar Research, Pękala К., Repelewska-Pękalowa J., 1990: Relief and stratigraphy of Quaternary deposits in the region of Recherche Fiord and Southern Bellsund (Western Spitsbergen). Wyprawy Geograficzne na Spitsbergen, UMCS Lublin, Troitsky L., Punning J. M., Hütt G., Rajamäe R., 1979: Pleistocene glaciation chronology of Spitsbergen. Boreas, vol. 4, STRESZCZENIE Podczas X Ekspedycji na Spitsbergen UMCS, zorganizowanej w 1995 roku, zostały przeprowadzone wstępne badania archeologiczne i geomorfologiczne w strefie przylądka Renardodden na południowym wybrzeżu Bellsundu. Występują tam stanowiska archeologiczne, które pozwoliły na ocenę rozwoju procesów abrazji i akumulacji w czasach historycznych. W rejonie Renardodden zachodzą obecnie bardzo intensywne procesy abrazji i akumulacji. Sprzyjają temu takie zjawiska jak: falowanie, pływy morskie oraz prądy przybrzeżne. Jednym z głównych czynników powodujących przemieszczanie, a przede wszystkim wyrzucanie materiału na brzeg jest silne falowanie, szczególnie w okresie jesiennych sztormów. Sprzyja to intensywnym procesom akumulacji morskiej co uwidacznia się w szybkim narastaniu plaży i tworzeniu nowych młodych wałów burzowych lub abrazyjnym ich niszczeniu. Oceny tych procesów można dokonać na podstawie ukształtowania terasy oraz rozmieszczenia i stanu zachowania stanowisk archeologicznych. W świetle przeprowadzonych badań geomorfologicznych i opierając się na danych archeologicznych można wyróżnić kilka etapów kształtowania wybrzeża w rejonie Renardodden. Najprawdopodobniej na początku XIX wieku został wybudowany budynek rosyjskiej stacji łowieckiej na wale burzowym, który znajdował siępoza zasięgiem ówczesnej działalności morskiej. Prawdopodobnie połowa XIX wieku to okresy narastania procesów abrazji, które doprowadziły do ścinania wybrzeża. Stary wał burzowy został zniszczony przez fale sztormowe, zaś okruchy cegieł i szczątki organiczne rozwleczone są w strefie falezy. Po okresie abrazji doszło do szybkiego tworzenia nowego wału burzowego, związanego ze zwiększoną dostawą materiału do strefy brzegowej. Nastąpiło wówczas przysypywanie stanowiska archeologicznego oraz stopniowe narastanie wału burzowego i rozszerzanie strefy brzegowej. Procesy te należy wiązać z większą aktywnością niszczenia klifu w Skilvice oraz wzmożoną dostawą materiału przez rzekę Scotta z przedpola lodowca Scotta i jego awansem. Współczesny etap niszczenia wałów burzowych może mieć związek z recesją lodowca Scotta i zmniejszoną dostawą materiału do strefy brzegowej morza. 39

6 [m] 1 i i i Fig. 1. Location and geomorphological map of the Renardodden 1 site: 1 - marine terrace m a.s.l., 2 - marine terrace m a.s.l., 3 - terrace m a.s.l., 4 - marine terrace 1-6 m a.s.l., 5 - contemporary beach, 6 - extramarginal outwash of the River Scott, 7 - alluvial cone, 8 - slope of inactive and active cliffs, 9 - directions of coastal currents, 10 - erosion edges, 11 - storm ridges, 12 - location of Renardodden 1 and lines of sections 40

7 [m a.s.l.] [m] i i i i i i i i i 1 Fig. 2. Geological profile across part of the storm ridge near the Renardodden 1 site: 1 - occupation layer, 2 - sand, 3 - sand and gravel, 4 - gravel [m] i i i i Fig. 3. Topographical profiles across the storm ridges near the Renardodden 1 site: 1 - gravelly-sandy sediments from the autumn and winter of , H - high tide level, M - mean tide level, L-low tide level. A - Snow bank (inner beach) zone, В - Zone of gravelly-sandy material with gravel mounds, С - Zone of discontinuous gravelly-sandy material 41

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9 Photo 4. Depression in the snow bank zone