Combining chert provenance and least-cost pathway analyses to reconstruct Pre-Dorset and Dorset mobility on southern Baffin Island. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: ten Bruggencate, R.E.; Milne, S.B.; Park, R.W.; Fayek, M.; Stenton, D.R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 14(2017)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: Chert -- Provenance -- Least cost path -- Arctic -- Mobility -- Dorset -- Pre-Dorset; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.06.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: We combine chert provenance and least cost path analyses to investigate Palaeo-Eskimo mobility on southern Baffin Island, in the eastern Canadian Arctic. ICP-AES trace element analysis links chert artifacts from coastal and inland sites to quarries in the interior of the study area. Using a multi-criteria cost surface, we model least cost paths between quarry and occupation sites linked by the results of provenance analysis. These pathways will be used to structure a future program of pedestrian survey in the area between the coast and interior of southern Baffin Island. Highlights: On south Baffin Island, Palaeo-Eskimo groups used both coastal and inland regions. ICP-AES results link chert from coastal and inland sites to inland chert quarries. Least cost paths between linked sites are drawn using a multicriteria cost surface. These paths will be surveyed to ground-truth our technique.