Six Thousand Years Of Change In The Northeast Pacific: An Interdisciplinary View Of Maritime Ecosystems

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2007The goal of this thesis is to develop long-term records of North Pacific ecosystems and explore relationships between change in marine ecosystems and prehistoric Aleut culture through soil chemistry, isotope analyses of lake cores, and isotope analyses of bone from archaeological middens. Chemical analysis of soils yielded differences in soils of various archaeological features as well as middens of varying composition. Sites that had no middens were chemically distinguishable from sites that did have middens helping to define resource consumption in the local region. An important result of this study is that no single ecosystem (nearshore benthic, coastal pelagic or deep-ocean pelagic) experienced the same changes in delta13C and delta 15N over the past 4,500 years. This suggests that changes in climate affected different ecosystems in unique ways. Only one change spans all species studied, the decrease in modern delta13C in comparison to delta13C of prehistoric specimens. According to these comparisons, the modern Gulf of Alaska may not be in the highly productive state that it was for the past 4,500 years, with the possible exception of the Medieval Warm Period. Lake core sediment analysis suggests an increase in salmon stocks in the Gulf of Alaska beginning ∼6,000 years ago, with a decrease during the Medieval Warm Period. In fact, salmon stocks in the Gulf of Alaska appear to be healthiest during periods of atmospheric cooler and wetter climate over the past 4,500 years. In comparing my paleoecological records to the archaeological record of the area it appears that humans were affected by changes in their environment but, even in relatively small numbers, humans also influenced local ecosystems for the past 6,000 years. By building on our understanding of long-term climate change and long-term fluctuations in ecosystems and trophic dynamics of species in the North Pacific, and through considering humans in the ecological context, we can better understand present conditions in marine ecosystems

Early retreat of the Alaska Peninsula Glacier Complex and the implications for coastal migrations of First Americans

The debate over a coastal migration route for the First Americans revolves around two major points: seafaring technology, and a viable landscape and resource base. Three lake cores from Sanak Island in the western Gulf of Alaska yield the first radiocarbon ages from the continental shelf of the Northeast Pacific and record deglaciation nearly 17 ka BP (thousands of calendar years ago), much earlier than previous estimates based on extrapolated data from other sites outside the coastal corridor in the Gulf of Alaska. Pollen data suggest an arid, terrestrial ecosystem by 16.3 ka BP. Therefore glaciers would not have hindered the movement of humans along the southern edge of the Bering Land Bridge for two millennia before the first well-recognized “New World” archaeological sites were inhabited.Keywords: First Americans, Deglaciation, Coastal migratio

Diversity in Labrador Inuit sled dog diets: Insights from δ13C and δ15N analysis of dog bone and dentine collagen

Sled dogs were an integral part of Labrador Inuit life from the initial expansion and settlement of northeastern Canada to the present day. Tasked with pulling sleds and assisting people with other subsistence activities in the winter, dogs required regular provisioning with protein and fat. In this paper, we conduct stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis of the skeletal remains of dogs (n=35) and wild fauna (n=68) from sites located on the north and south coasts of Labrador to characterize dog provisioning between the 15th to early 19th centuries. In addition, we analyse bone (n=20) and dentine (n=4) collagen from dogs from Double Mer Point, a communal house site in Hamilton Inlet to investigate how dog diets intersected with Inuit subsistence and trade activities at a local level. We find that dog diets were largely composed of marine mammal protein, but that dogs on the north coast consumed more caribou and fish relative to dogs from the central and south coast sites. The diets of dogs from Double Mer Point were the most heterogenous of any site, suggesting long-distance movement of people and/or animals along the coast

An environmental (pre)history of European fishing: past and future archaeological contributions to sustainable fisheries.

This paper explores the past and potential contribution of archaeology to marine historical ecology. The primary focus is European fishing of marine and diadromous taxa, with global comparisons highlighting the wider applicability of archaeological approaches. The review illustrates how study of excavated fish bones, otoliths and shells can inform our understanding of: (a) changes in biogeography, including the previous distribution of lost species; (b) long-term fluctuations in the aquatic environment, including climate change; (c) the intensity of exploitation and other anthropogenic effects; (d) trade, commodification and globalisation. These issues are also relevant to inform fisheries conservation and management targets. Equally important, the long (pre)history of European fishing raises awareness of our ecological heritage debt, owed for centuries of wealth, sustenance and well-being, and for which we share collective responsibility. This debt represents both a loss and a reason for optimism, insofar as it is a reservoir of potential to be filled by careful stewardship of our rivers, lakes, seas and oceans

The adoption of pottery on Kodiak Island: Insights from organic residue analysis

Pottery technology, originating in Northeast Asia, appeared in Alaska some 2800 years ago. It spread swiftly along Alaska’s coastline but was not adopted on Kodiak Island until around 500 cal BP, as part of the Koniag tradition. While in the southeast pottery was used extensively, people on the northern half of the island did not adopt the technology. What drove these patterns of adoption and non-adoption on Kodiak Island? To better understand the role of ceramic technology in the Koniag tradition we used organic residue analysis to investigate pottery function. Results indicate that pottery was used to process aquatic resources, including anadromous fish, but especially marine species. Based on archaeological and ethnographic data, and spatial analysis of pottery distributions and function, we hypothesize that Koniag pottery was a tool inherent to the rendering of whale oil on the southeast coast of Kodiak Island, supporting previous suggestions by Knecht (1995) and Fitzhugh (2001). When viewed in the broader historical context of major technological and social transformations, we conclude that social identity and cultural boundaries may also have played a role in the delayed and partial adoption of pottery on Kodiak Island

Heiser Commemorative Award

Every year the Kenyon Men\u27s Lacrosse program hands out the Heiser Commemorative Award. This award is named after former Kenyon Men\u27s Lacrosse Coach, and Kenyon Athletics Hall of Fame member, Bill Heiser. It is given to the Senior that best displays the qualities of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship. It has traditionally been given to one graduating senior, but after their senior season was cut short by the virus, the Coaching Staff decided to give the award to each of our five seniors. They led us to a historic 5-0 start in 2020, and were the driving forces for our strong team culture and selfless/teamwork driven identity. Coach Misarti announced it over social media on Sunday, March 29th, 2020, and it was the only team award handed out for the 2020 season. This was meant to further represent it\u27s importance and the impact of these five seniors. The 2020 Kenyon Men\u27s Lacrosse Seniors: Sam Humphrey, Mason Krahmer, Joey Ledwin, Jed O\u27Neill, Matt Pantalonhttps://digital.kenyon.edu/covid19photos/1007/thumbnail.jp

Kenyon Athletics Q&A with Doug Misarti

Kenyon Athletics Q&Ahttps://digital.kenyon.edu/covid19audiovideo/1006/thumbnail.jp