At the Arctic Development Project Office, researchers presented a collection of ancient eye protectors worn by Arctic peoples. These are the famed Nganasan glasses, artifacts highlighted in reports from the NIA-Zapolyarye news portal. The designs stand out for their minimalism and practical ingenuity.
The eyewear features narrow slits carved into a solid facepiece rather than full lenses. Arctic communities wore these glasses only during the spring months when the sun climbs higher and the snow reflects light with a brightness that can sting the eyes. In such conditions, staying outdoors without protection was risky; excessive light and glare could irritate or inflame the eyes. The slit design moderated this exposure while preserving sufficient vision for daily tasks and travel across icy terrain.
Materials chosen for these cups include wood, especially spruce, as well as bone, walrus tusk, and reindeer antler. In some cases coastal plants were used as part of the construction. The craftsman would carve a piece to fit the wearer’s face and then create one or more narrow horizontal slits across the front. The eyewear would sit snugly against the face, ensuring light passed through only the slits. Some versions featured a coat of carbon black on the inner surface to further reduce glare. Narrowing the slits served a dual purpose: it limited incoming light while sharpening visual detail. Conversely, widening the slots expanded the field of view, trading acuity for broader peripheral sight when needed.
These artifacts reveal a practical philosophy: protection and visibility could be balanced with simple, robust materials and local craftsmanship. The glasses illustrate how Arctic peoples adapted to extreme light conditions with tools that were both functional and durable, reflecting a deep understanding of the interplay between environment and human perception.
Historically, some scientists have linked the discussion of Earth’s climate history to broader cosmic theories. At one time, speculative ideas about a complete global freeze dating back hundreds of millions of years circulated within scientific communities, though such theories have evolved with new evidence and models over the years.