Appendix: Faunal remains at Illorpaat

Abstract

The archaeological remains described in this article are from selected Thule culture contexts from the costal site Illorpaat ( Godthab district), on the south side of Hope Island, excavated in 1972 and 1975. In order to obtain the best possible sample of specimens from the site, the excavations also included a substantial area of midden deposits.

Radiocarbon datings of both marine and terrestrial animal bones together with historical sources place the occupations associated with these remains between 1445 and 1800 AD. In all, there are 73,376 bone specimens representing fish, birds and mammals, with harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) and Brilnnich's murre (Uria lomvia) being predominant Illorpaat was likely inhabited year round, with occasional hunting expeditions inland. However, the settlement was situated at the largest "winter openwater area" in Greenland making it a site of paramount importance.

Changes in ratios of seal to bird bones through the midden sequences indicate fluctuations in climate, an inference further supported by tool remains. Furthermore, large samples of faunal refusal provides a general overview of resource use over a time span of nearly four centuries.