A detailed analysis of ringed seal remains (Phoca hispida) from three seasonally different Thule sites at Hazard Inlet, Somerset Island (Nunavut) /

This thesis presents an exploratory approach using detailed zooarchaeological analysis to evaluate the nature of ringed seal ( Phoca hispida) remains from three seasonally different Thule sites in the Hazard Inlet area of Somerset Island, Nunavut. Most Thule research focuses on winter occupation and presents Thule as a whaling society. Little attention has been given on the nature of sealing during Thule occupation and research on seasonal differences of seal remains from Thule sites remains scarce. This thesis is thus one of the first to focus on ringed seal remains from seasonally different Thule sites through an analysis of over 30,000 bone specimens. The goal of this thesis is to determine if the seal assemblages are a product of differential butchering and transport, taphonomic processes, or if external factors are also playing a role in shaping the faunal record. The analysis considers variability within each site as well as between the sites. Overall, a moderate to strong correlation was found between bone density and the seal bone elements identified while a negative correlation existed with the elements and FUI (food utility indices). This led to the conclusion that taphonomy was the leading agent shaping the seal remains at Hazard Inlet. However, enough variation existed within each site to consider the role of outside factors, such as the presence of dogs, food preferences, food storage and season of occupation in shaping the seal remains at Hazard Inlet