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Maniitsoq - History 

The human history of the Maniitsoq area goes back at least 4.000 years. The first known culture is called the Saqqaq culture and dates back to 2.000 B.C. Remains from later Eskimo cultures and even the Norse settlements (Vikings) can be seen on many sites.

The Eskimos were semi-nomads, but the Danish colonisation in the 18th century saw the first permanent settlements. Maniitsoq was founded as a trading post in 1755 with the Danish name Sukkertoppen (Sugar Loaf), on the site now known as Kangaamiut. Sukkertoppen was moved to its actual site on the southeast corner of the Maniitsoq Island in 1782.

The Maniitsoq Museum displays the history of Maniitsoq/Sukkertoppen with a large number of artefacts, including paintings, photos etc. The museum is situated in two old colonial buildings from 1840. These and two more buildings were removed from the harbour in the early seventies and later reconstructed just outside town.

The large collection tells the history from the early Saqqaq culture, through the Norse settlements between 985-1.500 AC, to the latest Eskimo settlements, known as the Thule-culture.

One of the buildings is an art museum, where more than 100 paintings and sculptures made of wood; bone or stone are on exhibition. Each room has been decorated as living rooms and studies containing original furniture and other artefacts from the homes of the artists.

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