Ivory ice pick

This ivory ice pick is associated with the Thule / Historic Inuit culture. It was found at the Tungatsivvik site at Peterhead Inlet in Frobisher Bay by archaeologist Doug Stenton at a site designated Borden Number KkDo-3.

Evidence
This ivory ice pick is associated with the Thule / Historic Inuit culture. It was found at the Tungatsivvik site at Peterhead Inlet in Frobisher Bay by archaeologist Doug Stenton at a site designated Borden Number KkDo-3.

Perspective
This was a very handy tool which on occasion was also known to be used as a weapon when attacked by an animal at close hand.

Significance
These picks were used to chip ice, but also to separate and dislodge meat that was in a cache or to break up hard snow. These could have been blackened from heating or stained by oil from breaking up chunks of blubber to render it.