Zooarchaeology of Houses and Middens: Investigating Patterns of Assemblage Composition at Early Inuit Sites Across the North American Arctic

Abstract

This study examines faunal assemblages from paired semisubterranean houses and middens at 10 Early Inuit sites spanning the North American Arctic (ca. 1200–1500 ce) to evaluate whether local resource bases or other factors primarily structure zooarchaeological variability. Using taxonomic, taphonomic, and multivariate analyses, we compare assemblage composition, diversity, and bone modifications to assess patterns of site formation and human behavior. Results indicate that variability is greatest among sites rather than between houses and middens, with local resource availability emerging as the dominant driver of assemblage composition. While houses generally exhibit higher taxonomic diversity and more burned bone than middens, likely reflecting food preparation and consumption, differences in fragmentation, weathering, and butchery marks are inconsistent and not associated with excavation methods. Canid gnawing correlates with reduced fish remains, particularly in middens, highlighting a significant postdepositional process. Overall, house and midden assemblages from the same site cluster closely by taxonomic composition, suggesting that either context broadly represents site-level economies. These findings underscore the primacy of regional ecological factors in shaping Early Inuit subsistence and demonstrate that single-context faunal analyses can reliably inform interpretations of Arctic economic systems.