April 2013: Susanne Grieve, ‘Archaeology and Conservation of the Heroic Era Exploration Bases on Ross Island, Antarctica’

April 21 Archaeological Institute of America Lecture

Susanne Grieve Archaeology and Conservation of the Heroic Era Exploration Bases on Ross Island, Antarctica

The Antarctic continent has presented challenges to mankind since early whaling vessels and discovery expeditions began investigating her shores in the early 1800’s. The Antarctic Heritage Trust, a New Zealand based non-profit, is responsible for the archaeology and preservation of four heroic era expedition bases constructed on Ross Island in Antarctica. The bases consist of pre-fabricated huts that were brought down on the expedition ships and man-hauled to the shore. Carsten Borchgrevink’s Southern Cross Expedition (1898-1900) constructed several hut structures at Cape Adare and most notably achieved the first winter-over season on the continent. The second journey to the region was conducted by Captain Robert Falcon Scott on the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904) where a hut was constructed on Hut Point in an Australian outback layout. Returning to lead the Nimrod Expedition (1907-1909), Sir Ernest Shackleton, directed the construction of a hut and scientific observation points at Cape Royds. The fourth and final exploration base was constructed by the Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913) led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott at Cape Evans from which he successfully explored the South Pole. In 2002, the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project was launched in an effort to document and preserve these rare historic monuments. This lecture will discuss the archaeological and conservation challenges that the bases present.

Susanne Grieve will lecture for the Society on Sunday, April 21, 2013.  She is Lead Conservator for the Antarctic Heritage Trust, and has been a senior conservator with East Carolina University, Global Artifact Preservation Services, and the Mariners’ Museum.  She holds her degrees from University College, London, Flinders University, and the University of West Florida.  Her fields of specialization include conservation of 20th century materials, preservation in extreme environments, and organic residue analysis.