Using multiple markers to elucidate the ancient, historical and modern relationships among North American Arctic dog breeds

Throughout most of the Americas, post-colonial dogs largely erased the genetic signatures of pre-historical dogs. However, the North American Arctic harbors dogs that are potentially descended from pre-historical ancestors, as well as those affected by post-colonial translocations and admixtures. In particular, Inuit dogs from Canada and Greenland are thought to descend from dogs associated with Thule peoples, who relied on them for transportation ca. 1000 years ago. Whether Thule dogs reflected an earlier colonization by Paleoeskimo dogs ca. 4500 years ago is unknown. During the Alaskan Gold Rush, additional sled dogs, possibly of post-colonial derivation, the Alaskan Husky, Malamute and Siberian Husky, were used in the Arctic. The genealogical relationships among and origins of these breeds are unknown. Here we use autosomal, paternal and maternal DNA markers to (1) test the hypothesis that Inuit dogs have retained their indigenous ancestry, (2) characterize their relationship to one another and to other Arctic breeds, and (3) estimate the age of North American indigenous matrilines and patrilines. On the basis of the agreement of all three markers we determined that Inuit dogs have maintained their indigenous nature, and that they likely derive from Thule dogs. In addition, we provide support for previous research that the Inuit dogs from Canada and Greenland dog should not be distinguished as two breeds. The Alaskan Husky displayed evidence of European introgression, in contrast to the Malamute and Siberian Husky, which appear to have maintained most of their ancient Siberian ancestry

Lipid biomarkers and compound specific δ13C analysis indicate early development of a dual-economic system for the Arctic Small Tool tradition in northern Alaska

Analysis of preserved lipids from archaeological sites in northwest Alaska indicates hunters exploited marine animal resources as early as 4500 years ago. Bone preservation at early prehistoric sites in northern Alaska is generally poor, contributing to uncertainty about the economic orientation of the earliest Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) hunters. We used lipid analysis and compound specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of burned, cemented sand and organic residue features to detect the use of marine versus terrestrial animals at several coastal sites in northwest Alaska. Though the sample size for this initial study was small (n=5), comparisons among samples from early ASTt, and later Norton and Thule sites indicate all three groups made use of marine animals for food and/or fuel. Recently obtained radiocarbon dates suggest ASTt hunters settled coastal regions of Alaska prior to moving inland to exploit terrestrial habitats. Our results provide empirical evidence that suggests the economy of the early ASTt population included a maritime component. In Arctic settings where bone preservation is poor, lipid analysis of cemented sand and organic residue features can provide an effective alternative for detecting the use and processing of marine versus terrestrial animals

Lipid biomarkers and compound specific δ13C analysis indicate early development of a dual-economic system for the Arctic Small Tool tradition in northern Alaska

Analysis of preserved lipids from archaeological sites in northwest Alaska indicates hunters exploited marine animal resources as early as 4500 years ago. Bone preservation at early prehistoric sites in northern Alaska is generally poor, contributing to uncertainty about the economic orientation of the earliest Arctic Small Tool tradition (ASTt) hunters. We used lipid analysis and compound specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) of burned, cemented sand and organic residue features to detect the use of marine versus terrestrial animals at several coastal sites in northwest Alaska. Though the sample size for this initial study was small (n=5), comparisons among samples from early ASTt, and later Norton and Thule sites indicate all three groups made use of marine animals for food and/or fuel. Recently obtained radiocarbon dates suggest ASTt hunters settled coastal regions of Alaska prior to moving inland to exploit terrestrial habitats. Our results provide empirical evidence that suggests the economy of the early ASTt population included a maritime component. In Arctic settings where bone preservation is poor, lipid analysis of cemented sand and organic residue features can provide an effective alternative for detecting the use and processing of marine versus terrestrial animals