article

Paleoeskimo variability: the early Arctic Small-Tool tradition in the central Canadian Arctic

American antiquity • 53 (1) • Published In 1988 • Pages: 52-74

By: Bielawski, Ellen.

Abstract

In this document the author discusses the possibility that variability in the early Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) is greater than previously described in the literature. 'Three questions dominate the interpretation of early ASTt remains in the central Canadian Arctic: Are the remains affiliated with the Independence I or the Pre-Dorset variants? What are the affect of seasonal mobility on the Paleoeskimo archaeological record? Does the core-area model have any remaining utility? Evidence from six Arctic Island locations indicated that Pre-Dorset and Independence I are not clearly separated temporally and stylistically. Functional analyses that consider the meaning of relevant attributes are required. Sources of variability include seasonality, local physiography and climate, and postabandonment processes. The complexity of the early ASTt record is not explained through pure historical particularism' (p. 52).

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle; 1998

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

Independence I and Pre-Dorset phases (ca. 4000 BP-2200 BP)

Coverage Place

Central Canadian Arctic, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada

Notes

E. Bielawski

Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-74)

LCCN

46036122

LCSH

Arctic regions--Antiquities