slideshow

Archaeologists Investigate an Early Whaling Community

For over a decade, Smithsonian Arctic Archaeologist, William Fitzhugh, has been...

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Map of Early European Whaling Region

For over a decade scientists have been investigating an early European whaling site...

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Whalers in the early 1800s

This illustration shows whalers of the early 1800s with their highly profitable...

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Inupiat Harpoon Box

During whale hunts, this carved whale box stored harpoon blades like the three...

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Basque Whalers

Close-up of a 17th century painting shows how whales were brought ashore for...

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Whale Products in Fashion

In the 19th century, "whalebone" was an important fashion tool—however, it wasn't...

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Whale Baleen from a Dead Whale

Whalers hunted right whales for their blubber, which could be turned into oil to...

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The “Right” Whale to Hunt

Yankee Whalers: An 1856 Currier & Ives print shows whalers harpooning a right...

Article

Charles Darwin's Ocean Upwelling

Charles Darwin is so well known he almost needs no introduction. The 19th-century...

Personal Perspectives

History and Modern Science Collide for the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan

Traveling aboard the Charles W. Morgan, a 173-year-old whaling ship on its 38th...

audio

Bowhead Whale: One Species at a Time

In the episode of One Species at a Time, writer Karen Romano Young takes an...

Archaeologists Study Early Whaling Community in Quebec, Canada

For over a decade, Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center archaeologist, William...