Local heroes. The long‐term effects of short‐term prosperity ‐ an example from the Canadian Arctic

Abstract

In the Canadian Arctic, there are three groups of mammals that were commonly exploited by prehistoric peoples. These are the pinnipeds (seals and walrus), various whales including beluga and bowhead, and the terrestrial herd species, caribou and musk ox. The ringed seal is ubiquitous in the region and available for hunting year round. The other species are spatially and, in many instances, numerically and seasonally restricted. Archaeological data from all periods of human occupation (2500 BC to the recent past) indicate that the ringed seal was the long-term staple for all coastal peoples, both Palaeoeskimo and Neoeskimo. We might therefore expect that ringed seal would have played a significant role in socio-economic systems, particularly as these developed over the long term. However, recent archaeological data suggests that cultural institutions in the Canadian Arctic may have been most heavily influenced by shorter-term, intensive, and regionally restricted patterns of alternative resource exploitation. This is best illustrated by walrus exploitation in Dorset culture.

Comments on Coltrain et al., Journal of Archaeological Science 31, 2004 “Sealing, whaling and caribou: the skeletal isotope chemistry of eastern Arctic foragers”, and Coltrain, Journal of Archaeological Science 36, 2009 “Sealing, whaling and caribou revisited: additional insights from the skeletal isotope chemistry of eastern Arctic foragers”

“…This finding confirms earlier studies which determined that Dorset economic strategies varied through time and between regions, that differences were likely a response to local conditions and available species, and that no one 'Dorset' subsistence pattern can be defined (Cox, 1978;Cox and Spiess, 1980;Damkjar, 2005;Darwent, 1994Darwent, , 2001Hodgetts et al, 2003;Howse, 2008;Møberg, 1986;Murray, 1999Murray, , 2005Odess, 1998;Spiess, 1978).…”

The Fluted Point tradition and the Arctic Small Tool tradition: What’s the connection?

“…They even resemble the much maligned dichotomy of ''foragers" versus ''collectors" of Binford (1980). Writers such as McCartney and Helmer (1989), Murray (1999), Nagy (2000) and Darwent (2001a, p. 150) have also related early ASTt, specifically Pre-Dorset, to a ''forager" pattern or the comparable ''travellers" of Bettinger and Baumhoff (1982). These can be contrasted with later Arctic Dorset and Thule groups who exhibited low residential mobility, relied more heavily on food storage, focussed on certain larger game like whales, etc.…”

Spatiotemporal Variability in Arctic Climates of the Past Millennium: Implications for the Study of Thule Culture on Melville Peninsula, Nunavut

“…During this cold and mildly humid climate phase, the Dorset people occupied several sites in Diana Bay (Plumet, 1989(Plumet, , 1994, including site JfE1-10 (Avataq Cultural Institute, 2003;Lofthouse, 2003Lofthouse, , 2007. Dorset people had an economy based predominantly upon marine resources, and they were highly adapted to living in a cold environment (Maxwell, 1985;Murray, 1996Murray, , 1999Darwent, 2001).…”