RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Early Thule Winter Houses: An Archaeoentomological Analysis
JF Arctic Anthropology
JO Arctic Anthropol
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 101
OP 117
DO 10.3368/aa.51.1.101
VO 51
IS 1
A1 Dussault, Frédéric
A1 Bain, Allison
A1 LeMoine, Genevieve
YR 2014
UL http://aa.uwpress.org/content/51/1/101.abstract
AB This paper presents the results of archaeoentomological analyses of soil samples from early Thule (ca. AD 1200–1400) winter-house remains at Cape Grinnell and Qaqaitsut, Northwest Greenland. Excavated over the summers of 2008 and 2009 by the Inglefield Land Archaeological Project (ILAP), four houses yielded 467 ectoparasites, mostly human lice, unevenly distributed across the identified areas of the structures. A recurring pattern of distribution was found in three of the houses and is interpreted as the result of delousing practices. Using historical explorer accounts, Inughuit oral tradition, and archaeoentomological evidence we investigate the potential for studying hygiene practices on Inuit sites.