Abstract

The Thule period and its relationships to Dorset and late Indian occupations of central and northern Labrador is an important but little known period in Labrador prehistory. Large populations and strong cultural, economic, and ethnic contrasts characterize this period, which led directly to the establishment of modern Inuit and Innu populations and laid the foundation for the historical period. While Late Dorset, Point Revenge, and historic Inuit cultures are well-described, the Thule period has not been given sufficient attention. This paper presents information from recent Thule excavations on Staffe Island in the Killinek region in the context of other Labrador Thule data and proposes an interaction model for the period AD 1000-1500 leading to the modern era.