Historical Artifacts

I've queried ChatGPT to some extent on this, bringing in cross-examples and fact corroboration, and yes-- it seems that the (peculiarly large) chest opening was indeed used to help let air enter the suit before embarking. A key point is that the opening would then be tied off somehow, sealing it up tightly, such that water couldn't enter even if the wearer fell in to the drink.

It's also possible that what looks like the darker, back interior skin of the suit might actually be the back of an extra chamber which of course would exist on the front of the suit, i.e. in front of the wearer's body. Which means that it might alternately function as a storage pouch for useful items, something which personally makes just as much (or more) sense to me.

Finally, the suit is evidently Inupiat or Yup’ik in origin, made from seal or walrus intestine.

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