Arctic Societies Flashcards
From the Arctic Neo-Paeloeskimo Dorest culture, dating around 500 BC to 1500 AD. It was characterised by their specific way of gouging rectangular holes, soapstone lamps and miniature carved walrus ivory sculptures.
Thule winter houses from around 1 AD onwards. Elliptical and rectangular semi-subterranean houses with tunnel entrances to trap cold air. There is a raised sleeping platform and a place for a soapstone lamp to be lit.
Thule Summer Tent from 1 AD onwards. Built from a bone structure and animal fur/skin walls, layered for warmth. These tent rings still remain for archaeologists to see the position of these tents, which were often found in large numbers or villages.
Dorset Pottery from 500 -1900 AD. Clay cooking pots were preoducted by the Thule but were often under or un-fired due to the temperature and moist atmosphere. Seal oil and blood is applied for strength and to reduce porosity.
Soapstone Lamp from the middle Dorset culture (500 BC), which burnt blubber. Soapstone was uesd as it was soft, and easy to carve. It was used for light, heat, washing, cooking, and heating ice to get water,
Thule toggling and non-toggling harpoons from AD 1 onwards. The toggling harpoons twist out at a 90 degree angle so large mammals cannot escape the harpoon and can be pulled in when hunting,
Abandoned Norse buildings in Greenland. Norse settled in greenland c. 1000 AD, but disappeared by 1400 AD, leaving these buildings behind. It is thought they abandoned Greenland due to the climate, the need to fish instead of farm, and the sense of losing their Norse way of life when they were forced to adapt.
