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Describe the adaptation of Netsilik people through the lens of evolutionary theory, and specify which remnants of this adaptation would be left for archaeologists to find in 1,000 years.
Your essay should be organized into 5 paragraphs, for a total of 1 to 1.5 pages long (500-700 words), single spaced, using an 11 or 12 point standard font (for example Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Helvetica). The 5 paragraphs must include a introduction and conclusion.
Your essay should be organized in the following way (see rubric for what is expected in an excellent essay):
1) Your first paragraph should be an introduction.
2) One paragraph on hunting and foraging behaviors/techniques specifically shown in the film. Don’t just say “they hunted and foraged”, be specific about their methods, including both physical and social strategies (i.e. the methods used to actually hunt/trap/collect the food source, and who participates and how they are organized). Make sure you apply evolutionary theory (see chapter 7) when explaining these techniques.
3) One paragraph on other behaviors/ techniques that help the Netsilik Inuit survive in the arctic climate. Make sure you apply evolutionary theory (see chapter 7) when explaining these techniques.
4) One paragraph describing the archaeological record resulting from these various behaviors and techniques. What artifacts and features would we find? And in what ways might those artifacts and features be altered by particular taphonomic processes? Be sure to include a discussion of taphonomic processes affecting the preservation and alteration of artifacts and features (review chapters 3 and 7 for themes of preservation and taphonomy). Also, make sure to explicitly relate the artifacts you mention to specific behaviors (for example, “the extreme use ware found on the soles of the Nike sneakers demonstraates the students often walked on pavement”).
5) Your last paragraph should be a conclusion.
To answer these questions you MUST apply ideas of evolutionary theory (e.g. energy as a currency in decision making; rational, self-interested, and efficient decision making; resource distribution; etc.) while thinking about behaviors related to:
economy (behaviors that allow production, exchange, and consumption of materials)
social relations (for example group size and organization, level of cooperation, sharing practices, gendered division of labor, child rearing practices, etc.)
basic human biology (for example, behaviors that maintain body temperature or nutrition, and social behaviors to ensure human reproduction and childrearing, i.e. survival of offspring)
Materials needed to complete this assignment
Your essay should be based on the the two films linked below (“At the Caribou Crossing” Parts 1 AND 2) and should integrate what you have learned from course material thus far (including textbook and videos).
This assignment does not rely on any additional research beyond the film and course materials. You do not need to cite the film or course materials. If you do use additional resources, you must include citations. If you choose to watch other ethnographic videos, the Alexander Street Press collection of Ethnographic Videos Online available through the OSU Library catalogue is an excellent source.
“At the Caribou Crossing Part 1” https://library.ohio-state.edu/record=b7882253
“At the Caribou Crossing Part 2” https://library.ohio-state.edu/record=b7882253
https://video-alexanderstreet-com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/watch/at-the-caribou-crossing-place-part-1
https://video-alexanderstreet-com.proxy.lib.ohio-state.edu/watch/at-the-caribou-crossing-place-part-2
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