Pisissarfik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pisissarfik |
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Aron of Kangeq's illustration of the aftermath of the archery competition on the mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,220 m (4,000 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountains in Greenland |
| Geography | |
 Pisissarfik
Location in Greenland
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Pisissarfik (old spelling Pisigsarfik) is a tall mountain in West Greenland, standing about 1,220 meters (4,000 feet) high. Its name means 'shooting range' in the Kalaallisut language. This mountain is very important in Inuit mythology and has also been a site for interesting archaeological discoveries.
Contents
Where is Pisissarfik?
Pisissarfik is located in the Sermersooq municipality in West Greenland. It is close to a small settlement called Kapisillit. This area is on the north side of the Kapisillit Kangerluaq, which is a branch of the large Nuup Kangerlua fjord.
The mountain is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland. Pisissarfik has a unique shape. One side, facing inland, is quite smooth. But the side facing the coast forms a very steep cliff. This makes it one of the most noticeable mountains in the area.
Ancient Stories and History
Around the year 1350 AD, there were farms belonging to the Western Settlement (Vestribyggð) along the Kapisillit-Fjord. These were Scandinavian settlers who lived in Greenland. They often had conflicts with the local Inuit people.
Many historians believe that these fights, along with changes in the climate, were some of the main reasons why the Scandinavian settlers eventually left Greenland. The name 'Pisissarfik' comes from a legend from this time.
The Legend of the Shooting Contest
One famous legend tells of an Inuk (an Inuit person) and a Viking who climbed to the top of Pisissarfik. They decided to have a shooting competition using bows and arrows. Their target was a seal skin stretched out on the bank of the fjord below.
The legend says the Inuk won the contest. According to their agreement, the loser was pushed off the steep cliff. This story explains why the mountain is called 'shooting range'.
What Did Scientists Find?
According to Inuit mythology, a very important battle between the Nordic settlers and the Inuit people happened at the base of Pisissarfik. People long believed that many graves found there belonged to those who died in this battle.
However, scientists from the Danish National Museum studied the site between 1945 and 1952. They discovered that these graves were actually Inuit graves. They dated from the 16th to the 17th century, which was after the time of the settlers.
Discoveries at Pisissarfik
The graves found at Pisissarfik contained human bodies that were naturally preserved, much like the famous mummies found in Qilakitsoq. In one grave, scientists found the bodies of three babies, all under one year old. Another grave held two women and two children, wrapped in Reindeer skins.
Even their clothes were well-preserved! This included anoraks (jackets) made from bird and seal skins, and Kamit (seal skin boots). These finds give us a rare look into how people lived and dressed centuries ago.
Pisissarfik also played a role in the spread of Christianity in the region during the 18th century. On Pentecost Sunday in 1749, the first Deutsche Messe (a type of Christian service) was held at the foot of the mountain.
See also
- List of mountains in Greenland
