PALEO-INUIT CULTURE, ST LAWRENCE ISLAND

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The epicenter of Paleo-Inuit ‘Old Bering Sea’ culture was St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, located in the southern Bering Strait. Overlooking the migratory path of walrus, whale, seal, and an uncountable variety of bird species, the island has been inhabited for millennia and contains several important archeological sites. Excavations here have unveiled a rich artistic history stretching far back into prehistoric times, including a marvelous carving tradition executed largely in walrus tusk ivory. Due to the density of the ivory and their centuries-long burial in ice and permafrost, these artifacts survived remarkably well-preserved.

In addition to doll-like figurines and other human depictions, most Paleo-Inuit ivory was carved into intricate, highly decorated animal effigies modeled upon the birds, fish, and mammals living on and near St Lawrence Island. This focus on animal images was not an arbitrary choice but the product of a developed cosmology and a crucial survival dynamic.

Arctic peoples recognized all living beings as possessing a spirit, which they termed inua, referring to a human essence and consciousness (inu- is the root for ‘person,’ and Inuit means ‘the people.’). Inua are the metaphysical foundation of existence, and circulate through new forms and bodies in a process of reincarnation. In this cycle of continual rebirth, it was believed that a hunted animal’s spirit would return only to those hunters who properly honored them. In an effort to maintain this crucial relationship, Arctic carvers expended great effort and care upon their hunting implements, expressing their respect through the beauty of the sculpted form. Beautiful tools were an unmistakable tribute to the spirits, both a gift and an irresistible lure.

The carving seen here, which depicts the head of a whale, is similar to a hunter’s ‘wound plug,’ an object that was inserted into a harpoon wound to prevent the total loss of the animal’s blood and provided a secure place to lash hauling cords. However, considering the pointed end in this instance is the decorative one, it is more likely a stopper for an oil flask. Animal iconography often points to an item’s specific associations, and this stopper or plug likely served in the preservation of whale oil. The head is detailed with traditional linear and ‘stitch’ incisions, as well as circular indentations, delineating the facial features and additional embellishments. A hole has been drilled widthwise through the head to allow for the attachment of a suspension cord.

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