Land Transportation Technology of the East Siberian Arctic People in the Early Holocene

Working dogs and dogsleds make a hallmark of historical culture in the North. However, it was always thought to be a relatively late invention. Excavations of the Zhokhov site yielded various artefacts including wooden parts of built-up sled and dog bone remains. Thus, as early as 9000 years ago, the arctic East Siberia settlers had developed a transport culture that also involved dog breeding. Such land transport technology facilitated move of materials, knowledge and genes across enormous space proven by the obsidian brought from the lower reaches of the Anadyr River, 1,500 km east of the site. Reconstructed sleds find the best analogy in the arched design of the Chukchi-Koryak sleds. Similar sleds are reliable for long journeys. Its invention suggests driving skills and knowledge, including biotechnology principles for dog breeding. Practices of dog sledding recorded by the Arctic travelers in the landscape which stayed almost unchanged for millennia, shows its capability, significance and role in the cultural development of the arctic East Siberia near the onset of the Holocene. Dogsledding appears to be a highly complex integrated technology. This is one of the most important Palaeolithic innovations. Possession of it was critically important for the population of East Siberia. Its introduction seriously impacted the socio-cultural development of the region, stimulating the mass use of new resources such as fishery and contributing toward a more sedentary lifestyle.