Stable Isotope Studies of North American Arctic Populations: A Review

Deirdre A. Elliott,Alison J. T. Harris

doi:10.5334/oq.67

Abstract

We review the major stable carbon and nitrogen isotope studies conducted on human remains in the North American Arctic (NAA) and discuss the findings with respect to two major research themes: diachronic subsistence, and the development of food cultures across the NAA. The interpretation of stable isotope data from human bone collagen and hair keratin is complicated by issues of equifinality in addition to uncertainty arising from the high fat/high protein diets of Arctic hunter gatherers. We suggest future lines of inquiry which may help to alleviate some of these challenges. Our review of Arctic stable isotope studies shows the ongoing potential of stable isotope analysis of Arctic hunter-gatherers and faunal populations, but we include the caveat that regardless of how cutting-edge or refined the analytical method, future stable isotope studies must be contextualized with other lines of evidence from well-excavated sites, and would profoundly benefit from the incorporation of indigenous perspectives and research priorities.

Highlights

Human populations settled the North American Arctic (NAA) relatively late in human history as the resourcelimited terrestrial landscape prompted the development of specialized technological and cultural adaptations to extract resources from marine and riverine environments
The focus of this paper is on the Late Holocene (1000–100 BP) human occupation of Greenland, and the Canadian and Alaskan Arctic coasts
Instead we will refer to groups occupying the NAA during the Late Holocene, but before European contact as precontact Arctic peoples, while those of the post-European contact period will be referred to by their modern names

Summary

Introduction

Human populations settled the North American Arctic (NAA) relatively late in human history as the resourcelimited terrestrial landscape prompted the development of specialized technological and cultural adaptations to extract resources from marine and riverine environments. Some narwhal and beluga, bowhead whales, some walrus populations, salmonids, and most birds practice long-distance seasonal migrations (Brice-Bennett, 1977; Lavigne, 2009; Schell, Saupe, & Haubenstock, 1989; Turner, 2014), while most other pinnipeds have preferred habitats in terms of sea ice. harbour (common) seals tend to occupy only open-water environments with access to beaches on which to haul out (including near-shore polynyas in the winter) (Woollett, 2007), and walrus, ringed seals, bearded seals, and hooded seals seek out ice-edge or pack ice environments, bringing them nearer to or farther from human settlements at different times of the year, depending on climate and currents (Stewart & Lockhart, 2004; Kovacs, 2009). Caribou were important in virtually every arctic society for their furs, which were the best (and only) choice for warm winter clothing (Betts, 2005; Stefansson, 1914)

Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes in Arctic Environments

Conclusions