Social life and technical practice: an analysis of the osseous tool assemblage at the dorset palaeoeskimo site of Philip's Garden, Newfoundland

Wells, Patricia Jean (2012) Social life and technical practice: an analysis of the osseous tool assemblage at the dorset palaeoeskimo site of Philip's Garden, Newfoundland. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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    Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
    (Original Version)

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to provide an understanding of the social nature of technological life at Phillip's Garden (EeBi-1), a large Middle Dorset site in northwestern Newfoundland. This is accomplished through the analysis of its osseous (bone, antler and ivory) tool industry. The assemblage is systematically presented providing morphological details for tool types, variation in forms and materials selected for their manufacture. In addition, the frequency of tool forms is recorded over the temporal and spatial extent of the site, and evidence of their manufacture and use is explored. Technological practice is defined in a thoroughly inclusive way, not simply as the material outcome of production, but immersed in social action that reinforces relationships among people, the materials they manipulate and the settings of technological events. The results of this analysis reveal a dynamic and unique community at Phillip's Garden where occupants transformed, over the course of its occupation, some practices of material acquisition, manufacture and use, dwelling occupation, tool making, and hunting.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral (PhD))
URI: http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/6191
Item ID: 6191
Additional Information: Includes bibliographical references (leaves 384-399).
Department(s): Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of > Archaeology
Date: 2012
Date Type: Submission
Geographic Location: Port au Choix (N.L.)
Library of Congress Subject Heading: Bone implements, Prehistoric--Newfoundland and Labrador; Dorset culture--Newfoundland and Labrador--Port au Choix; Inuit--Newfoundland and Labrador--Port au Choix--Antiquities; Inuit--Newfoundland and Labrador--Port au Choix--Social life and customs; Excavations (Archaeology)--Newfoundland and Labrador--Port au Choix; Port au Choix (N.L.)--Antiquities;

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