Introduction to the Introduction to the Cultures ofCultures of

North American North American Aboriginal PeoplesAboriginal Peoples

Arctic RegionArctic Region

InhabitantsInhabitants

Not “Indians”Not “Indians”– Difference based on physical differences:Difference based on physical differences:

Blood TypesBlood Types– ABOABO

Eskimo/Aleut peoples have percentages similar to Eskimo/Aleut peoples have percentages similar to Euro-Asian peoplesEuro-Asian peoples

Indians lack antigen “B”Indians lack antigen “B”– MN Blood GroupsMN Blood Groups

Same similaritiesSame similarities Physical differences related to cold adaptationPhysical differences related to cold adaptation

– Length of limbsLength of limbs– Breadth of trunkBreadth of trunk

Physical AnthropologyPhysical AnthropologyGroupGroup Type Type

OOType AType A Type Type

BBType Type ABAB

Eskimo Eskimo (Alaska)(Alaska)

3838 4444 1313 1515

Indians Indians (USA)(USA)

7979 1616 44 11

NavajoNavajo 7373 2727 00 00

BlackfoBlackfootot

1717 8282 00 11

CzechCzech 3030 4444 1818 99

Modern groups in the Modern groups in the Arctic form a group Arctic form a group distinct from the rest of distinct from the rest of the Americas’ aboriginal the Americas’ aboriginal inhabitantsinhabitants

This can be seen in a This can be seen in a number of physiological number of physiological and linguistic areasand linguistic areas– Eskimo-Aleut languages Eskimo-Aleut languages

are related to languages are related to languages spoken in eastern Siberia spoken in eastern Siberia and not to other and not to other languages of North languages of North AmericaAmerica

– Blood type distribution Blood type distribution (see table)(see table)

– Y-chromosome and Y-chromosome and mtDNA differencesmtDNA differences

32 Y-chromosome 32 Y-chromosome haplotypeshaplotypes

Appears to indicate Appears to indicate relationship (Haplotype relationship (Haplotype 31) with groups in 31) with groups in central Siberiacentral Siberia

Genetic distance between human populations based on research by Genetic distance between human populations based on research by Cavalii-SforzaCavalii-Sforza

Regional Characteristics (1)Regional Characteristics (1) ArcticArctic

– Stretching from western Alaska across the entire Stretching from western Alaska across the entire continent to Greenlandcontinent to Greenland

– Area north of the tree lineArea north of the tree line– Classic tundra conditions during the Holocene.Classic tundra conditions during the Holocene.

Cold, desert-like conditions. Cold, desert-like conditions. Growing season ranges from 50 to 60 days. Growing season ranges from 50 to 60 days. Average winter temperature is -34° CAverage winter temperature is -34° C Average summer temperature is 3-12° C Average summer temperature is 3-12° C Yearly precipitation, including melting snow, is 1525 Yearly precipitation, including melting snow, is 1525

cm cm – FloraFlora

Low shrubs, sedges (Cyperaceae), reindeer moss Low shrubs, sedges (Cyperaceae), reindeer moss (Cladonia (Cladonia rangiferarangifera)),, liverworts (Hepaticae), and grasses liverworts (Hepaticae), and grasses

400 varieties of flowers 400 varieties of flowers crustose and foliose lichen crustose and foliose lichen

ClimateClimate

No region more No region more affected by climateaffected by climate

Long wintersLong winters– Winter: Oct-MayWinter: Oct-May– Summer Jun-SeptSummer Jun-Sept

WindWind Relatively dryRelatively dry

-30

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

I IV VI X

High

West

East

Brno

Tundra (Alaska National Wildlife Refuge)Tundra (Alaska National Wildlife Refuge)

Coastal tundraCoastal tundra

Arctic Fauna: Terrestrial MammalsArctic Fauna: Terrestrial Mammals Terrestrial herbivores:Terrestrial herbivores:

– Caribou (Caribou (Rangifer tarandusRangifer tarandus) [sob]) [sob]– Musk oxen (Musk oxen (Ovibus moschatusOvibus moschatus) [pižmoň]) [pižmoň]– Arctic hare Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus)(Lepus arcticus) [zajíc polární] [zajíc polární]– Lemming (Lemming (Synaptomys spp.Synaptomys spp.) [lumík]) [lumík]

Terrestrial carnivoresTerrestrial carnivores– Wolf (Wolf (Canis lupusCanis lupus))– Arctic fox (Arctic fox (Alopex lagopusAlopex lagopus) [liška polární]) [liška polární]

Arctic Fauna: Marine Mammals (1)Arctic Fauna: Marine Mammals (1) Seals (true/eared)Seals (true/eared)

– Harp seal (Harp seal (Phoca groenlandicusPhoca groenlandicus) tuleň gronský) tuleň gronský Adult males grow to about 1.7 m and 130 kg; females are Adult males grow to about 1.7 m and 130 kg; females are

smaller smaller – Ringed seal (Ringed seal (Phoca hispidaPhoca hispida) tuleň kroužkovaný) tuleň kroužkovaný

Adult ringed seals are 99-157 cm in length and weigh 45-107 kgAdult ringed seals are 99-157 cm in length and weigh 45-107 kg– Ribbon seal (Ribbon seal (Phoca fasciataPhoca fasciata) tuleň pruhovaný) tuleň pruhovaný

Adult ribbon seals average 155-165 cm in length and 70-80 kg in Adult ribbon seals average 155-165 cm in length and 70-80 kg in weight weight

– Bearded seal (Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatusErignathus barbatus) tuleň vousatý) tuleň vousatý Adult seals are 2.1-2.5 m in length, and weigh about 200-360 kg Adult seals are 2.1-2.5 m in length, and weigh about 200-360 kg

– Walrus (Walrus (Odobenus rosmarusOdobenus rosmarus) mrož) mrož Atlantic walrus males average 3.0 m in length and weigh Atlantic walrus males average 3.0 m in length and weigh

approximately 800-900 kg.  Pacific walrus males are somewhat approximately 800-900 kg.  Pacific walrus males are somewhat larger, averaging 3.2 m and approximately 1200 kg.  Females larger, averaging 3.2 m and approximately 1200 kg.  Females are generally smaller are generally smaller

– Northern fur seal (Northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinusCallorhinus ursinus) lachtan medvědí) lachtan medvědí Adult male 2 m, 135-270 kg. Average adult female 1.3 m, 30-45 Adult male 2 m, 135-270 kg. Average adult female 1.3 m, 30-45

kg kg

Arctic Fauna: Marine Mammals (2)Arctic Fauna: Marine Mammals (2)

Whales (toothed/baleen – ozubení/kosticovici)Whales (toothed/baleen – ozubení/kosticovici)– Beluga (Beluga (Didelphinapterus leucasDidelphinapterus leucas) běluha) běluha

Adults measure 3-4.6 m and weigh 1350-1500 kgAdults measure 3-4.6 m and weigh 1350-1500 kg– Narwhal (Narwhal (Monodon monocerosMonodon monoceros) narval) narval

Adults: 4-4.9 m, 900-1600 kg, tooth: 2-3 m in lengthAdults: 4-4.9 m, 900-1600 kg, tooth: 2-3 m in length– Gray whale (Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustusEschrichtius robustus) plejtvákovec šedý) plejtvákovec šedý

Adults are 13.8-15 m long and weigh about 33,000 kgAdults are 13.8-15 m long and weigh about 33,000 kg– Northern right whale (Northern right whale (Eubalaena glacialisEubalaena glacialis) velryba biskajská) velryba biskajská

Adults are 15-15.2 m long and weigh about 54,000 kgAdults are 15-15.2 m long and weigh about 54,000 kg– Bowhead whale (Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetusBalaena mysticetus) velryba gronská) velryba gronská

Adults are 15-18.5 m long and weigh 72-91,000 kgAdults are 15-18.5 m long and weigh 72-91,000 kg Polar bear (Polar bear (Ursus maritimusUrsus maritimus) medvěd lední) medvěd lední

– Male polar bears grow two to three times the size of female Male polar bears grow two to three times the size of female polar bearspolar bears

– Males weigh about 350 to more than 650 kg and are about Males weigh about 350 to more than 650 kg and are about 2.5-3 m long2.5-3 m long

– Females about 150 to 250 kg and are about 2 to 2.5 m Females about 150 to 250 kg and are about 2 to 2.5 m

Diversity and DensityDiversity and Density Western Arctic – Western Arctic –

highest diversityhighest diversity Central Arctic – lowest Central Arctic – lowest

diversity and densitydiversity and density Eastern Arctic – in Eastern Arctic – in

betweenbetween Stone tools:Stone tools:

– No suitable raw No suitable raw materials for chipped materials for chipped stonestone

– Emphasis on ground Emphasis on ground stone tools (slate)stone tools (slate)

Extensive use of bone Extensive use of bone and ivory toolsand ivory tools

KnivesKnives

Left: Ulu (woman’s knife) made of ground Left: Ulu (woman’s knife) made of ground slate in a bone handleslate in a bone handle

Right: Man’s knife made from ivoryRight: Man’s knife made from ivory

Oil lampsOil lamps

Only source of light Only source of light and heatand heat

Fuel is blubber (fat Fuel is blubber (fat of sea mammals)of sea mammals)

Used for melting Used for melting snow for watersnow for water

Heating water for Heating water for teatea

Not sufficient for Not sufficient for cookingcooking

Other technologyOther technology

Human mobilityHuman mobility

Summer – restricted to waterSummer – restricted to water– Reduced mobilityReduced mobility– KyakKyak– UmiakUmiak

Winter – on land and sea (frozen)Winter – on land and sea (frozen)– Increased mobilityIncreased mobility– Dog sledDog sled

UmiakUmiak

Inuit Inuit kayak kayak (max. length 5 m)(max. length 5 m)

More kyaksMore kyaks

Kayak Kayak loaded with sealskin float, loaded with sealskin float, weapons, etc.weapons, etc.

Sled Sled (toy)(toy)

Dog sled teamDog sled team

House TypesHouse Types - Summer - Summer

Simple whalebone Simple whalebone or driftwood frameor driftwood frame

Covered in animal Covered in animal skinsskins

House Types - winterHouse Types - winter

W. & E. ArcticW. & E. Arctic– Semisubterranean Semisubterranean

sod housessod houses– Snow houses only Snow houses only

used for short term used for short term livingliving

C. ArcticC. Arctic– Snow houses used Snow houses used

longer termlonger term

Seasonal residence patternsSeasonal residence patterns

Western ArcticWestern Arctic– Summer villageSummer village

50-100 people50-100 people WhalingWhaling

– Winter dispersalWinter dispersal Nuclear family groupsNuclear family groups

Central ArcticCentral Arctic– Summer dispersalSummer dispersal– Winter villageWinter village

60-100 people60-100 people

Winter VillageWinter Village

Engraving Engraving from from Frobisher Frobisher expedition in expedition in 1616thth century century

DietDiet

MeatMeat Blubber/fatBlubber/fat

– No/minimal cookingNo/minimal cookingVitamninsVitamnins

Berries in summerBerries in summer– CloudberryCloudberry

An amber-colored relative of the raspberryAn amber-colored relative of the raspberryGrows on very small bushesGrows on very small bushes

Nerkraitorvik Nerkraitorvik

Hunting companionsHunting companions– Each hunter has 12Each hunter has 12– Each of the 12 is referred to by a Each of the 12 is referred to by a

specific part of the sealspecific part of the seal– When a hunter kills a sea he exchanges When a hunter kills a sea he exchanges

that part with his named partnerthat part with his named partner– Not necessary to participate in hunt to Not necessary to participate in hunt to

make claimmake claim

Division of LaborDivision of Labor MenMen

– HuntingHunting– FishingFishing– Butchering kills away from campButchering kills away from camp

WomenWomen– Butchering kills in campButchering kills in camp– Preparation of clothingPreparation of clothing

Tanning leatherTanning leather SewingSewing

– Family dutiesFamily duties BothBoth

– ShamanismShamanism– Spiritual activitiesSpiritual activities