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Davidson Point, Frobisher Bay

Robert W. Park of the University of Waterloo, with a crew of six, spent three weeks excavating one of the three winter houses at a small Thule site on Davidson Point, just across the Sylvia Grinnell River from Iqaluit. One goal of the research project was to learn if there are any differences in the way small groups of people like those who lived at the Davidson Point site spent the winter when compared to the larger groups that inhabited some nearby Thule winter sites. Another goal was to learn exactly how all the animal bones came to be in the house. Were they all from animals hunted by the occupants of the house, or were some of the bones put into the house pit long after it had been abandoned? Our attempt to answer these questions required the unusually meticulous mapping of over 1100 individual pieces of bone from the house, in addition to the artifacts.

Nunavik, Hudson Bay

Avataq Cultural Institute carried out four projects headed by Daniel Gendron. Two of these projects were held at Inukjuak. Two Dorset sites were partially excavated; IcGm-5 was also used as a field school for Inuit students. The third one was a preliminary survey of the Hopewell Islands near Inukjuak, and the fourth comprised the evaluation of the Qajartalik petroglyph site, and preliminary survey of Whitley and Joy Bays, southeast of Kangiqsujuaq.

The principal objective of the survey of five of the Hopewell islands, near Inukjuak, was to identify Thule winter dwellings, which are at present not known on the mainland in this region. Two such sites were discovered (IbFk-3 and IcGn-11). Other sites were identified and/or reassessed, including Dorset occupations (IcGn-6, 8, 9, and 10), possible non-winter Thule occupations (IbGk-4, IcGn-12, and IcGn-1), Historic Inuit sites (IcGn-7, 14, IbGk-1, 2, 6, IbGl-1, 2, 3, 4), and one site of undetermined origin (IbGk-5). In addition, the crew identified two heavily used siltite quarries on Patterson Island and Harrison Island, both at 20 metres above sea level. The quarry at Patterson Island also contains two semi-subterranean winter dwellings of Dorset origin. Siltite is the predominant raw material found on both IcGm-5 and 36, and in several other Dorset sites in the area. The Patterson quarry itself is approximately 500 metres in length, and evidence of use was found on its entire length. Finally, a qaggiq first identified by Daniel Weetaluktuk in the late 1970s was relocated on Harrison Island. Other similarly huge structures have been observed at the same site (IcGn-12).

Avataq also conducted project on the petroglyph sites of the Kangiqsujuaq region. The Qajartalik site (JhEv-2), first identified in the early 1960s, was the main object. Other petroglyph sites had been reported, but were not relocated. Once back in the community, the researcher met with Naalak Nappaaluk, who had accompanied Saladin d'Anglure in the early 1960s. He indicated the real location of two other soapstone quarries where engravings had been observed. They should be visited next summer.

An assessment of the state of preservation of the Qajartalik site was also made. Although some modern graffiti has been observed, the extent of damage appears to be minimal, but natural erosion has had a negative impact on some of the petroglyphs. The petroglyphs have been engraved in soapstone outcrops, in part explaining their precarious state. Preliminary observation permitted the identification of over 100 engravings on three large outcrops. All engravings represent human-like faces, and are reminiscent of Late Dorset artistic expression.

Alongside the petroglyph project, a preliminary survey was carried out on Qajartalik and Qikertaaluk Islands, which yielded 30 new sites from Pre-Dorset to post-contact times. One of the Pre-Dorset sites might even be Independence I. In addition to these new sites, ten more were observed at Burgoyne Bay and Aivirtuuq for a total of 42 new sites in five days of survey. A dozen more were marked on a map by Naalak and Lucassie Nappaaluk.

One site is also worth mentioning, because of an unusual feature. JhEv-11 is located on Qikertaluk Island. The main feature is a rock alignment 60 metres long and curving slightly northward. Two huge circles of rock delineate both extremities. At present, its function remains unknown, but it was suggested that it could be the remnants of a field game. Several artifacts of Dorset origin were observed in one sand deflation, about 40 metres to the southeast of the alignment.

Igloolik

Two field schools were held this summer. The first was a high school course offered at the Grade 10 and Grade 11 levels. The second was a university course offered through McGill University and Arctic College to local teachers working towards their Bachelor of Education degrees. Students on both courses participated in the continuing excavation of a Late Dorset dwelling with axial feature, pot stand and fire pit. The excavation of this feature was completed this summer and the feature was backfilled. Remarkable finds included: a complete copper needle, an erotic carving of a couple caught in the act, a man/bear transformation carving, and pieces of a large soapstone pot.

The field work included both Pre-Dorset survey and excavation. Students on the field courses assisted in the former work. There are currently plans to resurface and possibly extend the current airplane runway. Quarry locations were selected to provide the gravel for the runway. The archaeologists worked with the territorial Department of Transportation to ensure that no archaeological sites would be affected by quarrying. The initial area surveyed and sampled for gravel proved to contain seven Pre-Dorset sites consisting of over 100 features. The crew then surveyed an adjoining area which proved to have no archaeological sites. As a result, a new quarry location was selected.

When the airport runway is extended to permit jet service to the community four Pre-Dorset sites will be destroyed. Last summer, the students sketch mapped these sites. This summer, they excavated two Pre-Dorset tent rings. Several students on the McGill-Arctic College course excavated Feature 4 at the Pre-Dorset site of NiHf-67. The other feature excavated was Feature 1 at a new site provisionally labelled 96/Site 5. The purpose of these excavations was to salvage the material and to provide a time estimate for the complete excavation of the sites that will be destroyed.

Auyuittuq National Park Reserve, Baffin Island

Northern and New Parks Archaeologist Deborah Webster (Parks Canada, Yellowknife) conducted an archaeological survey of Maktaatujana in Auyuittuq National Park Reserve, southwest of Broughton Island. Tina Price of Iqaluit assisted in the survey as did Park Warden David Kooneeliusie and Park Patrol Persons Jason Aliqatuqtuq and Robbie Kudlualik of Broughton Island.

Before beginning the fieldwork, the archaeologist met with the Broughton Island Hamlet Council, Sapputiit Elders Committee, Hunters and Trappers Association, Auyuittuq National Park Reserve Advisory Board and park staff. Project plans were discussed and information was shared on site locations, current use of the study area, types of cultural resources to be found and Inuktitut names for these features.

The objective of the archaeological survey was to record new sites and to evaluate the condition of known sites so that the state of these cultural resources could be monitored. There was no excavation of sites and artifacts were not collected. Most sites encountered are temporary camps and were occupied recently. The Inuktitut name Maktaatujana means "the place where there is plenty of whale skin." In the fall people from Broughton Island hunt narwhal and other sea mammals there. A known Thule site was also revisited.

In the winter the archaeologist will meet again with community groups to present a draft report, verify information and discuss results of the survey. The information gathered will also be incorporated into a computerized cultural resource management database to provide current information on site resources, assessments and vulnerability.