Sedimentary biomarkers and bone specimens reveal a history of prehistoric occupation on Somerset Island (Arctic Canada)

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 291; no. 2026; p. 20232915
• Main Authors: Gallant, Lauren R, Hargan, Kathryn E, Kimpe, Linda E, Michelutti, Neal, Grooms, Christopher, Savelle, James M, Smol, John P, Blais, Jules M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Archaeology; Arctic Regions; Biomarkers - analysis; Bone and Bones - chemistry; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Humans; Lakes - chemistry; Nunavut; Palaeobiology; Reindeer; Arctic Regions; Nunavut; Dorset; stable isotopes; metals; Thule; sterols and stanols
• ISSN: 1471-2954; 0962-8452; 1471-2954
• DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2915

Archaeological studies of pre-historic Arctic cultures are often limited to artefacts and architecture; such records may be incomplete and often do not provide a continuous record of past occupation. Here, we used lake sediment archives to supplement archaeological evidence to explore the history of Thule and Dorset populations on Somerset Island, Nunavut (Canada). We examined biomarkers in dated sediment cores from two ponds adjacent to abandoned Thule settlements (PaJs-3 and PaJs-13) and compared these to sediment cores from two ponds without past human occupation. Coprostanol and epicoprostanol, δ N measurements, sedimentary chlorophyll and the ratio of diatom valves to chrysophyte cysts were elevated in the dated sediment profiles at both sites during Thule and Dorset occupations. Periods of pronounced human impact during the Thule occupation of the site were corroborated by C-dated caribou bones found at both sites that identified intense caribou hunting between 1185 and 1510 CE. Notably, these sediment core data show evidence of the Dorset occupation from 200 to 500 CE at sites where archaeological evidence was heretofore lacking. We highlight the utility of lake sediments in assisting archaeological studies to better establish the timings, peak occupations and even lifestyle practices of the Dorset and Thule Arctic peoples.