Abstract

During the 1992 and 1993 field seasons, the McDougall Sound Archaeological Research Project undertook an analysis of the Late Dorset site of Tasiarulik (QjJx-10) on Little Cornwallis Island in the Central High Arctic. Due to permitting difficulties, the 1992 field season involved an intensive examination of the cultural materials exposed on the surface. The surface faunal remains were mapped and identified in situ and have allowed for an examination of the spatial distribution of the bone across die site. In the following field season excavation proceeded on a number of semi-subterranean houses, tent rings, and middens, with a subsequent analysis of the collected faunal remains. In the past, faunal studies did not normally constitute a significant part of a High Arctic project. Bone element mapping of the surface remains has allowed for a unique opportunity to examine the horizontal variation in species and element representation, along with bone deterioration and modification. This paper will focus on the taphonomic processes which have created and altered the surface and sub-surface faunal assemblages at Tasiarulik, and present an assessment of the relationship between these two data sets.