Emma Vitale, PhD

What’s the work that you do?

I am a Ph.d. fellow with Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen and the University of Greenland. My research focuses on the Greenlandic dog sledding culture. My work investigates how humans exploited the domesticated dog in Greenland in prehistory, how the relationship is visible through archaeological and ethnographic evidence, and if the material culture can shed light on the origin of the Arctic dog sled complex. My research also involves a historical study of the Greenland dog sled and sled dog equipment, with identification and characterization of regional cultural traditions and variations.

What keeps you going?

My curiosity keeps me going, because it is currently an overlooked field in the world of archeology, and there is still so much to discover about dog sledding. I have always been fascinated by the historical collaboration between human and dogs, and dog sledding has been essential for humans to live, travel and settle in the Arctic climate. I feel very grateful for having the opportunity to study such an important part of the Greenlandic cultural history, and meet so many incredible people through my research.

What’s your message to the world?

Greenland holds the largest remaining sled dog population in the Arctic and a globally unique traditional culture. But both the sled dog and the culture that goes with it is threatened by extinction. I hope my work will contribute to increase the focus on research and preservation of the dog sled culture.