Prof. James M. Savelle

Tel: (514) 398-7163
Fax: (514) 398-7476
E-mail: jsavel@po-box.mcgill.ca

Research Interests: Arctic Archaeology; Hunter-Gatherers; Zooarchaeology

My primary research interest is in the nature of prehistoric Thule Eskimo societies in the North American Arctic. The specific focus is on the investigation of the organizational structure and social relations within the context of varying subsistence economies, especially with respect to whaling vs. non-whaling economies. Major components of the research involve analyses relating to zooarchaeology (osteometrics; utility index derivation and application; dental annuli analysis), settlement archaeology, and intrasite spatial patterns. The primary data base is derived from regional surveys and excavations in the central Canadian Arctic over the past 20 years, with additional data derived from recent (1996, 1998) whale bone surveys in Alaska, and ethnoarchaeological studies conducted among modern Inuit (Eskimo) whaling societies.

A number of undergraduate and graduate students have participated in the field and laboratory components of the research, and many have derived thesis materials and data through this participation.

Selected Publications:

Savelle, J.M.
1984. Cultural and natural formation processes of a historic Inuit snow dwelling site, Somerset Island, Arctic Canada. American Antiquity 49(3):508-524.

Savelle, J.M.
1987. Collectors and Foragers: Subsistence-Settlement System Change in the Central Canadian Arctic, AD 1000-1960. British Archaeological Reports (International Series):358. 337p.

Savelle, J.M. and McCartney, A.P.
1988. Geographical and temporal variation in Thule Eskimo subsistence economies: a model. Research in Economic Anthropology 10:21-72.

Savelle, J.M. and McCartney, A.P.
1991. Thule Eskimo bowhead whale procurement and selection. In Human Predators and Prey Mortality. Edited by M. Stiner. Westview Press. Pp. 201-216.

Lyman, R.L., Savelle, J.M. and Whitridge, P.
1992. Derivation and application of a meat utility index for phocid seals. Journal of Archaeological Science 19(5):531-555.

McCartney, A.P. and Savelle, J.M.
1993. Bowhead whale bones and Thule Eskimo subsistence-settlement patterns in the central Canadian Arctic. Polar Record 29(168):1-12.

Savelle, J.M. and McCartney, A.P.
1994. Thule Eskimo bowhead whaling: a biometrical analysis. In Threads of Arctic Prehistory: Papers in Honour of William E. Taylor, Jr. Edited by D. Morrison and J.-L. Pilon. Canadian Museum of Civilization, Mercury Series, Archaeological Survey of Canada Paper 149:281-310.

Savelle, J.M.
1994. Prehistoric exploitation of white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) in the eastern Canadian Arctic. Meddelelser om Gronland: Bioscience 39:101-117.

Habu, J. and Savelle, J.M.
1994. Construction, use and abandonment of a Thule Eskimo whale bone house, Somerset Island, Arctic Canada. Quaternary Research 33(1):1-18. (Japan Association for Quaternary Research).

Grier, C. and Savelle, J.M. 1994. Intrasite spatial patterning and Thule Eskimo social organization. Arctic Anthropology 31(2):95-107.

Savelle, J.M.
1995. An ethnoarchaeological investigation of Inuit beluga whale and narwhal harvesting. In Hunting the Largest Animals: Native Whaling in the Western Arctic and Subarctic, edited by A.P. McCartney. Canadian Circumpolar Institute, Studies In Whaling No. 3. Pp. 127-148.

Dyke, A.S., Hooper, J. and Savelle, J.M.
1996. A history of sea ice in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago based on postglacial remains of the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Arctic 49:235-255.

Savelle, J.M. and Friesen, T.M.
1996. An odontocete (Cetacea) meat utility index. Journal of Archaeological Science 23:713-721.

Savelle, J.M., Friesen, T.M. and Lyman, R.L.
1996. Derivation and application of an otariid meat utility index. Journal of Archaeological Science 23:705-712.

Savelle, J.M.
1997. The role of architectural utility in the formation of archaeological whale bone assemblages. Journal of Archaeological Science 24:869-885.

Friesen, T.M., Savelle, J.M. and Smith, T.G.
1998. Mandibular growth layers as a means of determining the age at death of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in zooarchaeological assemblages. Journal of Archaeological Science 25:697-706.

Savelle, J.M. and McCartney, A.P.
1999. Thule Eskimo bowhead whale interception strategies. World Archaeology 30:437-451.

Savelle, J.M.
n.d. Information systems and Thule Eskimo bowhead whaling. In Animal Bones, Human Societies, edited by P. Rowley-Conwy. Oxbow Books: in press.

© 2001, Anthropology Department, McGill University
http://www.arts.mcgill.ca/programs/anthro/
Last update : October 23, 2001