Abstract

The insular ports are characterized by a very limited infrastructure which meant that they could be established and abandoned according to environmental or commercial conditions. Infrequently jetties were made of stone or possibly also wood, but in most cases archaeological evidence is lost. Often, natural features, such as horizontal stone banks of cliffs were used as natural landing bridges and ships unloaded there. Temporary booths that were little more than camping grounds were used by merchants; rarely storehouses were constructed (such as those related to Greenland harbours). In many cases the harbours fell out of use, the settlements were abandoned and the archaeological remains are yet to be identified.