Issue 2 (67)
| TRANSPORTATION OF PREY BY THE ANCIENT EKVEN ESCIMO | |||
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| Year | 2020 | Number | 2(67) |
| Pages | 45-51 | Type | scientific article |
| UDC | 902(571.651) | BBK | 63.4(2) |
| Authors | Aleksashenko Natalia A. |
Topic | ARCHAEOLOGY OF HABITAT AND LIVELIHOOD |
| Summary | The article is devoted to the reconstruction of marine animals transportation methods, based on the use-wear analysis of hooks and carabines from the Ekven cemetery (MAE RAS collection). The Bering Strait, on the coast of which the cemetery is located, is rich in marine animals. Maritime hunting was the main occupation of the Ancient Eskimo. As a result of excavation of the burials, a large number of toggle harpoon heads were found, without which hunting was impossible among the floating ice. On the basis of their study S. A. Arutyunov and D. A. Sergeev concluded that the harpoon heads of different shapes and sizes were used for the hunting whales, walruses or seals. It was important to transport killed animal to the shore. According to the researchers, hooks and carbines from the Ekven cemetery were used for these purposes. We tried to test this hypothesis with the microanalysis. It was possible to identify the connection of design features with the ways of using hooks and carbines. The hook or carbine was connected to the animal by straps, the traces of fastening and friction of which are clearly recorded under the microscope. Through the larger holes a belt from the hunter (hunters) was stretched. Wear marks confirm the intensive, long-term and repeated use of hooks and carbines. The largest hooks could be used to transport a whale by water. Small carbines were used only for small animals or for removing pieces of meat to the storage area. Small numbers of hooks and carbines in the collection may be explained by the widespread use of belts and lines in towing animals, as evidenced by ethnographic facts. | ||
| Keywords | Bering Strait, Ekven cemetery, Ancient Eskimo, maritime hunting, drag hook, carbine, use-wear analysis, transportation (dragging) of killed maritime animals | ||
| References |
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