An Early Inupiaq Occupation: Observations on a Thule House From Cape Espenberg, Alaska

• Published in: Open Archaeology
• Main Authors: Norman Lauren E. Y., Friesen T. Max, Alix Claire, O’Rourke Michael J. E., Mason Owen K.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2017
• Subjects: thule; dwelling; alaska; kotzebue sound; wood architecture; zooarchaeology; Archaeology; CC1-960; Inupiaq; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2017-0002; https://doaj.org/article/7bcbec5ad0e3495da1f5a53bc81c01d5

This paper describes and interprets a well-preserved early Thule semi-subterranean dwelling from Cape Espenberg, Alaska. The house architecture is similar in many respects to other early Thule dwellings with a sub-rectangular main room, long sunken entrance tunnel, and associated kitchen area. However, the presence of narrow side benches and associated flooring differences adds significantly to the variability present in Thule house form. Radiocarbon dates indicate occupations spanning 1300 to 1450 cal CE. Wood analysis suggests that the house underwent at least one rebuilding episode, which seems to have extended the house occupation into the early 15th century. People acquired mostly small seals for their subsistence, but supplemented their diets in the spring and fall with migrating birds, fish, terrestrial mammals, and other marine mammals. This house represents a fairly typical early Thule coastal winter occupation, but careful excavation of a well-preserved house reveals interesting details in house form, wood use, and subsistence patterns.