Stratigraphy and Habitation Features at DIA.4(JfE1-4), a Dorset Site in Arctic Quebec

The 1978 Tuvaaluk Programme excavation at DIA.4 (JfEl-4) revealed evidence of 15 habitation features in a stratified context. These features, comprising both semi-subterranean dwellings and tent emplacements, are summarized and stratigraphical- ly organized into chronologically successive occupation phases at the site. Excavation results suggest certain methodological implications of importance to the interpretation of the Dorset settlement pattern in Ungava. This paper presents a preliminary synthesis of the settlement and habitation data from the multi-component, stratified DIA.4 (JfEl-4) Dorset site in Arctic Quebec. This synthesis involves general consideration of cultural remains inter- preted as representing habitation structures and the stratigraphic units associ- ated with these structures. These data were recorded during the 1978 Tuvaaluk Programme excavation at the site. For the purposes of this presentation, the term "settlement pattern'' is defined as the spatial arrangement of habitation structures through time within the confines of'the 'site'. Although approximating Chang's (1%2:30) concept of "community pattern" and Trigger's (196860) "habitation" and "community layout" levels of interpretation, this definition does not include consideration of the socio-economic organization of the subject group or groups. At present, neither simultaneity of occupation of the structures nor the length of time and number of individuals involved in these occupations can be determined. In terms of the areal extent and complexity of the site, such evaluations would prove wholly unrealistic and unfounded; to date, only 240 of the estimated 1300 square metres constituting the principal area of Dorset occupation at the site have been excavated.* Also, the formal, distributional, and associational analysis of the approximately 18,000 lithic artifacts (detritus included) recovered in 1978 is far from complete.