Kuukpak Antler Comb-NWT, Canada

---

Institution: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

Province: Northwest Territories

Object: Comb

Era: Woodland Period

---

This 500-year-old antler comb comes from Kuukpangmiut, a cultural group of the Mackenzie Inuit (now known as Inuvialuit) in the Northwest Territories. During this period, Kuukpak was their largest winter camp for hunting whale and caribou. This comb was most like a biproduct of these activities.

Archaeologists discovered combs of all shapes and sizes at Kuukpak. Many of the combs have intricate handles and long teeth. It is believed the combs were used for a variety of grooming activities ranging from adornment to removing head lice.

Shop American Artifacts

Buy on Amazon

---

More Indigenous Canadian Artifacts

---

Sources:

• Arnold, Charles D., and Myrna Pokiak. "Inuvialuit Artifacts from Kuukpak." Yellowknife: Government of the Northwest Territories (2011).

• Betts, Matthew W. “Seven Focal Economies for Six Focal Places: The Development of Economic Diversity in the Western Canadian Arctic.” Arctic Anthropology 42, no. 1 (2005): 47–87.

---