SCAR Bulletin: Twenty-seventh Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 24 May-4 June 2004

Summary

Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay is one of the principal sites of early human activity in Antarctica. It is the location of the base of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14 organized and led by Dr (later Sir) Douglas Mawson. An important symbol of Antarctic exploration (1895-1917), it is one of only six hut sites remaining from this period. Cape Denison hosted some of the earliest comprehensive studies of Antarctic geology, geography, terrestrial magnetism, astronomy, meteorology, glaciology, oceanography, biology, zoology and botany. It was also the base of numerous explorations inland and features artifacts associated with these sledging parties, including food caches and equipment. Due to the considerable historical, cultural and scientific significance of Cape Denison, the entire area is designated as an Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) consistent with Articles 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Annex V of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. It is also listed as a Historic Site and Monument in accordance with Article IX(1) of the Antarctic Treaty and Article 8(2) of Annex V of the Protocol. Cape Denison is characterized by four valleys aligned northwest/southeast. The majority of Australasian Antarctic Expedition artifacts, including buildings (‘Mawsonʼs Hutsʼ) and other structures, are concentrated in the westernmost valley and on the ridges on either side of the valley. The historic huts and their immediate surrounds constitute Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 162.

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1911 to 1914

Spatial Coverage

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