The Human-Environment relationship at Oakes Bay 1 (HeCg-08), Dog Island (Labrador): A dendrochronological approach
Author(s): Natasha Roy; Najat Bhiry; James Woollett; Ann Delwaide
Year: 2014
Summary
In Nunatsiavut, recent studies have shown that major changes of the landscape have occurred over the last centuries. Most of them have been related to climate changes. At the Oakes Bay site located at Dog Island (Nain), we have showed that spruce (Picea sp.) declined after ca. 600 BP and that this decrease coincided with an increase in charcoal. Although the precise cause is not yet known, this decline may be due to the arrival of the Inuit and subsequent wood harvesting and consumption. In order to document the impact of the human-environment relationship, a dendrochronological study was undertaken in conjunction with excavations at the Inuit winter settlements of Oakes Bay 1 (HeCg-08). We tested the hypothesis that changes in forest dynamics were triggered mainly by climate. However, the Inuit would have had some local impact on the environment since they made extensive use of trees for house construction and heating.
Cite this Record
The Human-Environment relationship at Oakes Bay 1 (HeCg-08), Dog Island (Labrador): A dendrochronological approach. Natasha Roy, Najat Bhiry, James Woollett, Ann Delwaide. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. 2014 ( tDAR id: 437435)
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Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): POS-99,24