Cultural and Natural Formation Processes of a Historic Inuit Snow Dwelling Site, Somerset Island, Arctic Canada

• Published in: American Antiquity
• Main Author: Savelle, James M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1984
• Subjects: Arctic; inuit; Somerset Island
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/280357; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0002731600072474

Analysis of the remains of a historic Inuit winter site, in conjunction with information supplied by one of the original inhabitants, demonstrates that despite post-occupational disturbance in the form of snow melt and associated downslope movement, the original internal site structure was maintained. Specific activity loci are identified for two snow houses, one occupied during early winter and the other during late winter. Changes in artifact and faunal element characteristics associated with the two dwellings are shown to reflect adjustments in various hunting and domestic activities from early to late winter.