Discovered by the West not much more than 200 years ago, Antarctica’s history is unique when compared to the six other continents—because its exploration, mapping, and “settlement” are all so relatively recent, we have incredibly detailed accounts of its earliest moments of human history via personal journals, media coverage, and even photographic documentation.
Come along as we explore the major eras that have shaped the White Continent.
First Discovery (1820)
A 2021 study raised the idea that the Polynesians may have visited Antarctica more than a thousand years ago, based on oral histories that speak of “an icy, mountainous continent untouched by the sun.”
There’s no doubt this is possible—the Polynesians were skilled and curious voyagers—and maybe, as the ice recedes, scientists will discover more evidence of human activity long ago.
Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox
Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterWestern history picks up the story in the late 18th century when British explorer James Cook had a near miss with the White Continent despite crossing the Antarctic Circle in the 1770s. It wouldn’t be until about 50 years later, in 1820, when someone finally spotted it from a ship, although there’s a question about who saw it first—the Brits or the Russians—over the period of a couple of days.
Either way, the discovery by the West took place sometime between January 27-30 in 1820. It started the first true age of exploration in Antarctica, but unfortunately, it also kicked off an age of exploitation.
Age of Exploitation and Early Exploration (1820s-1896)
Once word got out that the White Continent did, in fact, exist and that it was chock full of whales and seals, a brutal industry moved south. Whale, seal, and penguin hunters of all nationalities sent parties down to Antarctica, setting up some of the first settlements and decimating the wildlife populations in order to sell their oil and skins up north.
One infamous place that many cruise ships visit is Deception Island, an abandoned camp where whale bones still protrude from the sand. Camps such as this would process thousands and thousands of whales and were still in operation throughout the first few decades of the 20th century.
There were scientific and exploratory adventures during this time period as well. One famous ship captain of this period was James Ross of Britain, who discovered the Ross Sea, now known as the Ross Ice Shelf. The French and Americans also sent vessels to Antarctica in the mid-19th century.
The Heroic Age of Exploration and The Race to the South Pole (1897-1922)
Things get really wild in Antarctica’s history once teams begin to make landfall and explore. It sparks a series of bold, daring, and sometimes deadly expeditions into the continent’s interior.
There are some really iconic tales from this time period, which is known as the Heroic Age. Belgian explorer Adrien de Gerlache’s 1897 expedition was the first to overwinter south of the Antarctic Circle. The 1915 story of Ernest Shackleton on the Endurance, where the ship is crushed by ice, and the men must journey 850 miles to safety, is truly one of the best tales ever told.
As is The Worst Journey in the World, written by Apsley Cherry-Garrard, an explorer who provides a first-hand account of Robert Falcon Scott’s deadly race to the South Pole against Norwegian rival Roald Amundsen in 1912. There are many great adventure books of this era, and you should read a few before your trip.
This time period was also a big one for science. Every expedition, regardless of the mission, was stocked with scientists, and everyone helped with the collection of data.
“Such a voyage shows nature in her most attractive form, and always there was a man close by whose special knowledge was in the whales, porpoises, dolphins, fish, birds, parasites, plankton, radium, and other things which we watched through microscopes or field glasses,” writes Cherry-Garrard.
“From first to last, the study of life of all kinds was of absorbing interest to all on board, and when we landed in the Antarctic, as well as on the ship, everybody worked and was genuinely interested in all that lived and had its being on the fringe of that great sterile continent.”
This era came to an end when Ernest Shackleton—one of Antarctica’s all-time greats—died of a heart attack in South Georgia at the start of 1922.
The Antarctic Treaty (1959)
Between the early 1900s and the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1959, countries around the world were jockeying for position in Antarctica, starting up camps and claiming slices of land for themselves. With technological advances during the First and Second World Wars came the opportunity to explore Antarctica from the air.
Maps of this once mysterious continent improved greatly. Technology also made it safer and (relatively) easier to explore the interior on foot; the advancement of winter gear and transportation, such as the snowmobile, improved travel greatly.
After the Second World War, as more scientific activity began to take place, more settlements were established, and more territorial disputes emerged, the Antarctic Treaty was signed by 12 nations in 1959 to preserve the entire continent for two things—peace and science.
The Scientific Age and Tourism (1959-present)
Today, nearly 60 nations have signed on to the agreement, and Antarctica continues to be a place where scientific research is the only human activity.
Besides, of course, peace and tourism. Visitation to Antarctica has exploded in the last decade, with many cruise operators offering itineraries that go to the White Continent.
But, there are many strict regulations. For example, ships larger than 500 passengers can only cruise around—they cannot make landfall. Ships with less than 500 passengers offer expedition-style programming such as zodiac landings and kayaking.
Science and tourism often mix and mingle down south. Many itineraries you’ll find are science-based; that is, the cruise programming will include lectures on topics such as Antarctic history, wildlife, and glacier study. Some companies take it a step further, partnering with scientists who need a ride down south.
On HX Hurtigruten Expeditions’ itineraries, for example, guest scientists hitch a ride and perform research during the voyage and, in return, present a lecture about their work to guests on board. On my trip aboard the HX Nansen this past December, there was a guest scientist from Hawaii who was using drone technology to track the health and development of whale populations.
Programs such as this pay great homage to the White Continent’s long history of intertwining adventure with science.
“The history here is only 200 years old, but it’s so rich, so many things happened, so many famous names have been here,” said Bernardo Groschopp, the historian aboard the HX Nansen. “Exploration here was always pushing the limits, which I think makes it so interesting and romantic for that time and for people to come down and experience it.”
