Arctic exploration

Quick Facts: Who was Arctic exploration?

Subject:

Arctic exploration

Known for:

The historical exploration of the Arctic region, spanning from ancient Greek voyages to modern charting.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Arctic exploration is the physical exploration of the Arctic region of the Earth. It refers to the historical period during which mankind has explored the region north of the Arctic Circle. Historical records suggest that humankind have explored the northern extremes since 325 BC, when the ancient Greek sailor Pytheas reached a frozen sea while attempting to find a source of the metal tin. Dangerous oceans and poor weather conditions often fetter explorers attempting to reach polar regions, and journeying through these perils by sight, boat, and foot has proven difficult. A controversial hypothesis, often regarded as pseudohistory, sets the home of the mythical people Hyperboreans in the Arctic.

Career & Major Achievements

The scientist and author John G. Bennett talked about it in his research paper "The Hyperborean Origin of the Indo-European Culture" (1963). The theory was originally put forth by William F. Warren, the first President of Boston University, in his Paradise Found or the Cradle of the Human Race at the North Pole. Later, Indian independence activist Bal Gangadhar Tilak resurrected Warren's theory in his The Arctic Home in the Vedas (1903), which was dedicated to philologist and indologist Max Müller, with whom Tilak had shared ideas before the book was completed. Austro-Hungarian ethnologist Karl Penka also discussed the same idea in his Origins of the Aryans (1883). Tilak's theory was popularized by Russian nationalists, due to the work of Soviet historian and ethnographer Natalya Romanovna Guseva and Soviet ethnographer S.V Zharnikova, who argued for a northern Urals Arctic homeland of the Indo-Aryan and Slavic people.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Hindu nationalist Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar also supported and was inspired by Tilak's idea. In his famous 1939 publication We or Our Nationhood Defined, he stated that "Undoubtedly [...] we – Hindus – have been in undisputed and undisturbed possession of this land for over eight or even ten thousand years before the land was invaded by any foreign race." Ancient Greek historian and geographer Herodotus said that the Hyperboreans lived beyond the Massagetae and Issedones. Since these are both Central Asian peoples, one could speculate that his Hyperboreans lived in Siberia. In his twelve labours, Heracles sought the golden-antlered hind of Artemis in Hyperborea. Since the reindeer is the only deer species of which females bear antlers, this would suggest an arctic or subarctic region.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1883: 1883 Milestone — Austro-Hungarian ethnologist Karl Penka also discussed the same idea in his Origins of the Aryans (1883).
2. 1903: 1903 Milestone — Later, Indian independence activist Bal Gangadhar Tilak resurrected Warren's theory in his The Arctic Home in the Vedas (1903), which was dedicated to philologist and indologist Max Müller, with whom Tilak had shared ideas before the book was completed.
3. 1939: 1939 Milestone — In his famous 1939 publication We or Our Nationhood Defined, he stated that "Undoubtedly [...
4. 1963: 1963 Milestone — Bennett talked about it in his research paper "The Hyperborean Origin of the Indo-European Culture" (1963).

Notable Quotes by Arctic exploration

“He reached land at the edge of a frozen sea (described by him as "curdled").”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Arctic exploration

True or False: “Pytheas, the ancient Greek sailor, was primarily interested in finding the source of tin.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that Pytheas attempted to find the source of the metal tin while sailing past the Pillars of Hercules.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Arctic exploration