Abstract

The Inuit people of northern Labrador had a variety of effects on their landscape. However, there is an absence of archaeological research addressing their inadvertent influence on the soil's chemical record. Here, I contribute to this type of research by investigating the geochemical characteristics of soils from Inuit winter dwellings at Iglosiatik Island, Nachvak Fiord, and Komaktorvik Fiord, northern Labrador. My research at these locations distinguishes the geochemical composition of soils in association with household taskscapes, adding a geoarchaeological perspective to the Inuit use of space within winter dwellings. Spaces in these households had socially prescribed and proscribed functions, and the habitus enacted in these taskscapes modifies the soil's chemical record. As such, repetitive behaviour in spatially discrete locations can increase the concentration of inorganic elements or introduce foreign ones into the soilscape. These geochemical reflections of behaviour are useful for understanding social structures and identifying taskscapes that have no direct architectural or artefactual evidence. The geochemical characteristics of soils from lamp stands, cooking niches, storage niches, dwelling floors, sleeping platforms, entrance tunnels, and refuse disposal areas underwent comparison with off-site control samples to determine their degree of anthropogenic alteration. Elemental compositions of these soils were measured using x-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma – mass spectroscopy, while reduction – oxidation potential, pH, and total dissolved solids were determined using electronic meters. Correspondence and principle components analysis identified the distinct geochemical signatures of these cultural spaces.