Researchers and locals are curious about a possible shipwreck near Sarfannguit
A discovery from 1952 is inspiring researchers to investigate a possible shipwreck south of the settlement, in close dialogue with the local community.
By Tôrtia Reimer-Johansen
A several-hundred-year-old chess piece, which was given to Queen Ingrid during the royal couple’s visit to Greenland in 1952, has led researchers to the trail of a possible shipwreck from a Norwegian Viking ship.
The chess piece, which is now kept at the National Museum, was found on Qeqertaq (Tørveøen) in Ikertooq near Sarfannguit by Sisimiut. It was discovered among planks and walrus tusks.
73 years later: The researchers arrive
Seventy-three years later, researchers David Gregory and Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch stand in Sarfannguit’s school building with a view toward Qeqertaq. They are here to present their investigation and their plans to explore a potential shipwreck in Iterlassuatsiaat.
Several researchers from around the world have traveled to Sarfannguit on Sunday, November 9th, where the weather is showing its best side. Most locals are therefore out fishing or hunting, and only four adult residents and a few curious children attend the community meeting. Nevertheless, Gregory and Bloch’s project attracts the greatest interest, especially because of the historical connection to the chess piece that was found.
“A possible Norwegian shipwreck and a chess piece found on Qeqertaq. That’s exciting.”
– Hans Christian Berthelsen
“We have presented our plans to investigate a possible Norwegian Viking ship lying just off Sarfannguit. It has been very important for us to speak with the local residents, hear their stories, and learn how we can involve them in the research going forward,” says David Gregory.
The chess piece, which is now kept at the National Museum, was found on Qeqertaq (Tørveøen) in Ikertooq near Sarfannguit by Sisimiut.
The family remembers the discovery
One of the attendees is Lydia Kajussen, who knows the man who found the chess piece: Mathias Olsen, brother-in-law to her husband, Karl Timas Kajussen. Since Karl Timas Kajussen could not attend the meeting, Arctic Hub later spoke with him.
“Mathias Olsen was married to my aunt. They found the chess piece on Qeqertaq. It looks like Norse chess pieces. A vessel may have picked it up and left it there. There are also stones on the island arranged like a wall. They could be from the Norse settlers,” says Karl Timas Kajussen.
He finds the researchers’ upcoming investigation very exciting and hopes they may find the possible wreck of the Norwegian ship.
“The dialogue we’ve established is truly exciting and important for our research”
– David Gregory
David Gregory is pleased with the meeting with the local community and their stories.
“I’m surprised by how much local knowledge exists here in the settlement. There are many stories, not only about the wreck we are investigating, but also about finds on Qeqertaq. The dialogue we’ve established is incredibly exciting and important for our research,” he says.
Young people listening in
The youngest participant at the meeting is Hans Christian Berthelsen, who was really just supposed to help with the food.
“I was only supposed to bring food, but then it got interesting, so I stayed and listened. A possible Norwegian shipwreck and a chess piece found on Qeqertaq. It’s exciting, especially because some people in the settlement are related to the person who found it,” he says.
David John Gregory and Andreas Kallmeyer Bloch have also met with Dorthe Katrine Olsen, museum director at Sisimiut Museum, and Michael Nielsen from Greenland’s National Museum about the project.
“Our task is simply to help convey the story of the cultural heritage you have in Greenland. We look forward to continued collaboration with everyone in Greenland,” concludes David John Gregory.