Arctic Small Tool Tradition
The Arctic Small Tool Tradition refers to the earliest known human inhabitants of the Americas, particularly in the Arctic and Subarctic regions, whose existence is supported by archaeological evidence rather than written records. Believed to be the ancestors of modern Eskimos, Aleuts, and Athapaskans, these ancient peoples are thought to have migrated from Siberia during the last Ice Age. Their tools, primarily crafted from bone and ivory, include spearheads and harpoons designed for fishing and hunting marine mammals. Notably, this tradition also marks the introduction of bows and arrows to the Americas. Evidence of the Arctic Small Tool Tradition has been predominantly found in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Around 800 B.C.E., this cultural phase evolved into what is recognized as the Dorset culture, highlighting the ongoing development of indigenous ways of life in these harsh environments. This tradition provides valuable insights into the adaptation and resilience of early Arctic populations in response to their challenging surroundings.
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Subject Terms
Arctic Small Tool Tradition
Related civilizations: Eskimo-Aleut, Athapaskan.
Date: c. 2500-1900 b.c.e.
Locale: Alaska, Arctic, and Subarctic Canada
Arctic Small Tool Tradition
The earliest human inhabitants of the Americas for whom any scientific evidence exists are generalized as part of the Arctic Small Tool tradition. The ancient people of the American Arctic and Subarctic areas had no written language before the arrival of the Europeans, and all speculation on prehistoric populations is based on linguistic and archaeological evidence. These ancient people, believed to be the ancestors of the Eskimos, Aleuts, and Athapaskans, apparently migrated from Siberia sometime during the last Ice Age. Estimates of the timing involved vary widely among modern archaeologists.
Evidence of the Small Tool tradition has been found primarily in Alaska and the Yukon Territory, which was largely unexplored by Europeans until modern times. Apparently, these people used implements made mainly of bone and ivory. Spearheads and harpoons for fishing and for hunting seagoing mammals are commonly found. Making their first appearance in the Americas are bows and arrows, which may have been brought from Siberia or developed very early during the North American period. The Arctic Small Tool tradition emerged into what is known as the Dorset culture sometime around 800 b.c.e.
Bibliography
Friedel, Stuart J. Prehistory of the Americas. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1987.
Swanson, Earl H., Warwick Bray, and Ian Farrington. The Ancient Americas. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1989.