The museum comprises six buildings and an exhibition of objects and other items from the unique excavations on the island of Qeqertasussuk which returned to Greenland during the course of summer 2002, an event marked by the opening of a permanent exhibition at Qasigiannguit Museum. Thousands of archaeological objects carefully packed into large, lined wooden crates began the long sea journey from Copenhagen to Qasigiannguit Museum in 1999. The objects originate from the excavations of the settlement at Qeqertasussuk in the southeastern part of Disko Bay undertaken from 1984-1987. With the help of specially manufactured microwave scanners, a large group of archaeologists, botanists, zoologists and geologists dug carefully down through a 1000-year-old, deep-frozen cultural layer, and were then able to give a detailed picture of life in Greenland's earliest stone age Saqqaq culture from 2400 BC, using as a basis the many, fantastically well-preserved items they unearthed. There were a huge number of incredibly well-preserved tools, carved from wood, bone and antler, which had lain frozen in the cool shadow from the adjacent mountain. There were knives, scrapers and spearheads, which have otherwise only been found as stone blades, but which here were discovered with handles attached. Along with well-preserved wooden bowls and spoons, and harpoon heads of antler and tooth, the culture appeared to have tools and everyday goods which were, in many ways, vastly different from those we already know from historical times. Hundreds and thousands of bones from meals eaten by the Saqqaq people were found in the midden. The inhabitants of Qeqertasussuk, like most later tribes in this area of Disko Bay, had lived primarily on Greenlandic seal and ringed seal. Among the unusual midden finds there was also the northernmost discovery so far of the now extinct Great Auk. This bird, which could not fly, bred in Iceland and Newfoundland until the nineteenth century, and the discovery of its bones at Qeqertasussuk, as well as pollen analyses and surveys of insect remains in the earth layer, point to the fact that the climate in the Saqqaq period was warmer than today.
 
 
At the foot of a fertile slope lies Greenland's oldest wooden house. Poul Egede, a missionary in the period 1736-1740, helped to bring the house to the town on one of Jacob Severin's ships in July 1734. This is what he wrote:
 
"After the skipper and merchant had found a suitable place to establish a colony - and the rough-hewn buildings we had with us on board, we sailed into harbour at Viire Bay with two other ships. The following day, we immediately began to unload the timber for building. Eight days later, a Sunday, I gave my first sermon in this building, which was called Christianshåb."The building has crossed corners, a design typical of the kind of Norwegian log houses known as "laftehuse".
 
The building was moved to its current location in 1806, when it was re-erected next to the colonial government building for use as a shop and provisions store, a function it maintained until 1990 when KNI opened a new department store in the town. It has now undergone restoration and forms part of the town museum.
 
 
The church is named after Poul Egede. It was erected in 1969 and was designed by the architect Ole Nielsen. The nave symbolises an umiak, or "women's boat", while the altarpiece is a glass mosaic, produced by Sven Havsteen-Mikkelsen. It is decorated with a huge cross laid over a golden sun disc, surrounded by 'inhabitants' of Greenland - a polar bear, whales and fish, as well as a kayak and an umiak. Finally, pagan spirits retreat from the light of Christianity.
 
 
The colonial government building is a Danish manufactured timber-framed building, roughly-hewn and test-assembled in Copenhagen before being sent to Christianshåb. A famous wood cut depicting an eighteenth century soldier sits above the entrance. According to tradition, it was made by Poul Egede and represents his brother, Niels Egede, who was colonial governor from 1740-43.
 
 
Southeast Bay is a rich treasure trove of pre-historic traces. Meat caches, hunting shelters, sites of buildings and kitchen middens of earlier hunting cultures can be seen along the coast. Throughout the millennia, Sydøst (Southeast) Bay has always been a rich hunting area for seals and whales. Many settlements have been excavated, and you can hear the echoes of history at the museum, as well as out in the countryside.
 
 
Hunter family house from the 1950s and part of the museum.
 
 
The "Illunnguaq" peat hut is located on the plain near Flyver Lake, north east of the town It offers an insight into the everyday life of a Greenlandic family in the 1940s. Special events are organised regularly here.
 
 
Qasigiannguit is an excellent hiking area with gentle hills, tundra plains, green passes, blue fjords, mountain tops with views over Isfjorden (Ice Fjord) and Disko Island all make the area ideal for hiking. Hike descriptions and detailed information can be found on the Internet at www.greenland.com or in the new hiking guide Hiking South of the Ilulissat Icefjord
 
 
Sea birds, seals and whales can all be found in the waters around Qasigiannguit. Seals, which are by nature curious, often make an appearance. From the middle of July right through to October, whales come right up to the town, playing in front of the hotel terrace.
 
 
The vegetation is lush and there are many beautiful flowers. Foxes, hares, reindeer and musk oxen can be found in the hinterland to the south.
 
 
From early winter right through to spring in May, Qasigiannguit, with its gentle hills and extensive hinterland, offers a fantastic terrain for sleds. You can either go hunting accompanied by an experienced hunter, or simply enjoy the striking natural surroundings.
 
 
Summer and winter bring exciting fishing opportunities to Qasigiannguit. You can catch fantastic trout both outside the town and in the trout streams at the entrances to the fjords.