Archaeological evidence of resource utilisation of walrus, , over the past two millennia: A systematic review protocol.

The walrus, is an iconic pinniped and predominant molluscivore that is well adapted to Arctic and subarctic environments. Its circumpolar distribution, large body size and ivory tusks facilitated its vital role as food, raw material (for tools and art), income, and cultural influence on many Arctic Indigenous communities for millennia. Intensification of hunting (often due to the arrival of Europeans, especially between the 16 and 19 centuries) to obtain ivory, hide, blubber and meat, resulted in diminished, sometimes extirpated, walrus populations.