Re: Thule dwellings

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 00:58:40 +0200, Erik Hammerstad
<egeha.is.all.you.need@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Some months ago there was a discussion on plank flooring in Thule
>dwellings. This paper describes the excavation results from a
>Thule settlement on Victoria Island. Wood was used by the Thule
>when available, also for flooring in the form of planks.
>http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic55-2-167.pdf
>
>The paper was found during browsing of "Arctic", which is being
>made available on the net three years after publication. Enjoy:
>http://www.ucalgary.ca/aina/pubs/arccont.html

I don't think that in the discussions of some months ago there was
much doubt that they did use planks. One question was whether or not
they planks were logs dressed flat on one side or planks in the modern
sense formed by sawing. As I recall it, there was a suggestion that
sawn planks had been found somewhere, although such a finding was not
confirmed in the news group.

In any case, the illustrations in the first URL clearly show that the
planks were logs dressed flat. No attempt seemed to be made to fit the
edges of the planks together. Elsewhere in the article the use of
planks for certain functions (e.g. beds) was not established but
merely speculated.

I was fascinated by two things.

First, the use of wood shavings for insulation over the top of the
planks. Where did all the wood shavings come from or did they reduce
logs entirely to shavings fof the purpose?

Second, the evidence of a blubber lamp having burned in the wood
shavings. How often did the Thule culture houses catch fire? Have the
remains of burned out houses been identified?



Eric Stevens

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Thule dwellings
    ... This paper describes the excavation results from a Thule settlement on Victoria Island. ... Wood was used by the Thule when available, also for flooring in the form of planks. ... How often did the Thule culture houses catch fire? ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • Re: 12th c Planked wooden floor Tiktalik
    ... >> But not for floors and certainly not planks. ... >Presumably wood for Thule housing in Canada was seldomly employed ...
    (sci.archaeology)
  • Re: Is this a bad fence job or am I just too picky?
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    ... experiment we want to see how long the wood lasts without treating, ... Would it be wise to have large planks or small pieces, ... It had a couple of creek beds that my ... them with rough cut oak planks. ...
    (rec.woodworking)
  • Re: cedar planks?
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