Combining remote sensing, geophysics, and lithic provenance and reduction to understand long-term continuity in Paleo-Inuit chert quarrying and seasonal inland travels on southern Baffin Island, NU

摘要

In 2013, we identified a large chert quarry located in the intermediate zone between southern Baffin Island's coast and interior. In 2015, we used a combination of remote sensing and geophysical technology to assess how intensively Pre-Dorset and Dorset populations (collectively known as Paleo-Inuit) used the site. This paper presents the results of those investigations, and explains how they articulate with geochemical and lithic reduction data from two large inland Paleo-Inuit habitation sites on southern Baffin Island. Our findings suggest that, despite a dramatic shift in the Arctic climate c. 5000-2500 BP, human populations in this region maintained seasonal patterns of intensive resource exploitation in the interior regions of Baffin Island. This was likely a result of ongoing need for vital resources only available in the interior, including chert toolstone.