Dissertation Research: The Origin and Maintenance of Ranked Society in Tebenkof Bay, Southeast Alaska

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Under the guidance of Dr. Michael Jochim, Mr. Herbert Maschner will conduct doctoral dissertation research in the Tebenkof Bay region of Southeast Alaska. Previous work by Mr. Maschner has indicated the presence of seven archaeological sites, ranging from small to large, in this limited area. The occupants, he believes, are directly ancestral to the native American Tlingit who occupy the region today. He shall map all seven sites and conduct excavations at four of them. Preliminary work shows that all contain house depressions and a series of 1 x 1 meter test pits will be dug in a selected sample. A number of column samples will also be collected from midden deposits in front and behind the houses. The resulting materials will permit the sites to be dated and, also, provide information on both social organization and diet. Hopefully, changes in these parameters can be traced over time. The wider region will also be surveyed for other sites and resource procurement areas will be mapped. This project is extremely interesting because it will shed light on the processes which lead to social complexity. The Tlingit developed ranked chiefly societies in prehistoric times and are unusual because a hunting and gathering (and not agricultural) economy provided a base for this transition. Theorists disagree about the processes which underlie this change. Some argue that population growth and resultant resource scarcity is the causal factor. Others believe that development of differential access to resources is responsible. Mr. Maschner's research will help to select between these two options. This research is also important because it will increase our understanding of traditional subsistence adaptations in northern environments. It may help to formulate policy for present day Alaskan aboriginal populations and help determine optimal use of natural resources. It will also aid in the training of a promising young scientist.