Dorset dwelling on the Churchill west peninsula

On the north ridge of the Seahorse Gully we located the remains of an approximately 2000 year old dwelling. The parallel row of vertically placed stones were the central part of the dwelling where activities like cooking and heating would occur. On both sides of this mid passage would have been living areas 

Archaeologists refer to the people who used this type of dwelling as the Dorset people. Churchill would have been the most southerly location used by these people. 

The Dorset people are often considered the ancestors of the modern Inuit, but they had distinct cultural traits that set them apart.
 
The Dorset people developed advanced tools, including specialized hunting implements such as harpoons, bone and ivory points, and toggle harpoons for hunting marine mammals. They also created intricate art from bone and ivory. Dorset art is well-known for its detailed carvings and sculptures, which often depicted animals or spiritual motifs.
 
The Dorset culture focused heavily on marine hunting, especially hunting seals, walrus, and whales, as well as fishing. They also hunted land mammals like caribou and gathered plants.
 
The Dorset people lived in semi-subterranean houses and built winter dwellings made of stone and sod, often found in coastal areas to exploit marine resources.

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