Science and Technology Production
Congress
Authorship
SALERNO, MELISA ANABELLA
;
María Jimena Cruz
;
Andrès Zarankin
Date
2024
Publishing House and Editing Place
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
Summary
Information provided by the agent in
SIGEVA
During the 19th century, a global industry focused on the exploitation of marine mammals developed in the South Shetlands (Antarctica). The sealing industry involved a global market where the skins of fur seals were sought for the production of fashion goods, while the oil of elephant seals was used for lighting, and the production of machine lubricants, among other things. For over two decades, the Landscapes in White project, led by Dr. Andrés Zarankin, has been studying the material r...
During the 19th century, a global industry focused on the exploitation of marine mammals developed in the South Shetlands (Antarctica). The sealing industry involved a global market where the skins of fur seals were sought for the production of fashion goods, while the oil of elephant seals was used for lighting, and the production of machine lubricants, among other things. For over two decades, the Landscapes in White project, led by Dr. Andrés Zarankin, has been studying the material remains at multiple sealing sites in Livingston Island. Although important information has shed light on several aspects of the sealing industry, research has generally treated sealing and elephant sealing activities and their production processes collectively. This presentation aims to delve deeper into the distinct importance of each activity, recognizing that while both were often conducted by the same ships, information regarding Antarctic elephant sealing production remains scarce. For this, we propose to consider under-explored documents in Antarctic sealing industry studies, more specifically, ship’s outfitting lists, which consisted in lists of various items that vessels were required to carry. They were usually published by merchants of products such as clothing, ship supplies, sails, navigation instruments, among others.By doing this, we aim to reflect on the potential of this type of document to enhance understanding of the Antarctic elephant seal oil production process in the South Shetland Islands during the 19th century. Specifically, we will discuss how analysis of these documents can provide insights into different phases of oil production, how they differ from fur production, and their archaeological visibility, refining interpretations of sites analyzed by the project. We will discuss this potential through an analysis of the provisioning list of the ship Golden West, which journeyed to the Shetland Islands in 1873 for the purpose of elephant seal oil production.
Show more
Show less
Key Words
PRODUCTIONOUTFITTING LISTSELEPHANTINGANTARCTIC ARCHAEOLOGYKILLING AND PROCESSING TOOLS