3D scanning and geometric morphometrics: an investigation of Dorset harpoon head variability

Levasseur, Francois P. (2022) 3D scanning and geometric morphometrics: an investigation of Dorset harpoon head variability. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This thesis aims to improve understandings of harpoon head variability among the Dorset by leveraging novel 3D scanning and geometric morphometric techniques. To achieve this aim, this study first orients the reader by providing a deeper understanding of variability as a research framework and provides more context on how variability frameworks have enabled Arctic archaeologists to understand the relational positioning of harpoon heads within Dorset realities. With the theoretical framework established, this study details emerging techniques used to measure and compare harpoon head morphology using 3D scanning and 3D landmark placement. These are then applied in a study employing geometric morphometrics to harpoon heads from the three near-contemporaneous sites of Saatut (Peha-1), Tayara (KbFk-7), and Philip’s Garden (EeBi-1) for the analysis of shape variance with the aim of deriving patterns of variability. The analysis reveals that the shapes of harpoon heads from different sites are statistically distinguishable and that certain aspects of traditional knowledge are observable at different spatial scales. Furthermore, the study will provide some preliminary reflections on the reliability and analytical usefulness of the technique in comparison to previous analytical methods employed in the Eastern Arctic and recommend next steps for future applications of the techniques, their advantages, and their limitations.

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