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This wooden ladle was recovered during Quarry Excavations in 1998 from approximately 1.5 meters below the present day ground surface. It was carved from a single piece of spruce by Dorset Palaeoeskimos approximately AD 430. Although organic artifacts such as this are generally not preserved in the acidic soils of Newfoundland, this specimen remained intact for over 1600 years due to a cold wet anaerobic burial environment. Since there are few preserved organic Palaeoeskimo remains in Newfoundland, this artifact provides a rare glimpse of Dorset woodworking skills. Following the recovery of this unique specimen, it underwent conservation treatment at the Canadian Conservation Institute. The ladle is 18.5cm long, 3.0cm wide, 0.5cm thick and weighs 65.3 grams. |