Ethnographic Description of the Eskimo Settlements 



195 



rings it consisted of two rows of flat stones standing on end (fig. 4). 

 The place between the two rows of stones was filled up with earth 

 and turf, or small rooms in which various things could be kept 

 were formed by means of other stones placed at right angles to the 

 platform edge. 



In some tent rings a collection of stones, mostly flat, was found 

 almost in the centre of the floorplace (fig. 19). It is probable that 

 the lamp stood here. 



Regarding the tent-rings, lastly, my observations seem to indi- 



Fig. 4. Tent-ring 30 with douhle platform-edge. Roslo. 

 The doul)le platform-edge has been greatly disturbed. (Sketch by Aage Bertelsen). 



cate that the care with which a tent was formed (position and formation 

 of the stones, platform-edge, platform itself and many other things) 

 stood in converse relation to the number of things found. This I 

 set in connection with the sense of order of the dw^ellers,^ the or- 

 derly taking their property away with them, whereas we have to 

 thank the untidy people for many a good thing. 



Under the stones of the tent-rings were sometimes found pieces 

 of wood-' and whalebone, which had been kept there, and one time 

 we found a new, unused harpoon-point of slate under a heavy stone 

 about 75 kg. in weight. 



1 Cf. Amundsen: pp. 148, 215, 216, 220, 222. - Cf. Amdrup 1: p. 95. 



