Ice Patch Archeology

由于高纬度地区的气候变化，古老的冰正在融化。 生命周期和文化使用的鲜为人知的功能常年冰，称为“冰补丁”，是这项研究的重点。 稀有且保存完好的有机文物，包括衣服，篮子和工具，正在从世界各地的冰块中融化。 放射性碳年代测定表明，这些特征已经存在了数千年，这为研究它们在高纬度人类适应中的作用提供了一个独特的机会。 在阿拉斯加的兰格尔圣埃利亚斯国家公园和保护区（Wyndham）的初步研究确定的四个地点是这个计划的重点。 利用文化生态学和地质考古学的方法，研究文件和解释的作用，冰斑在早期高纬度人类适应，2）解释他们在高纬度文化发展中的作用，3）定义冰斑的组成，特点，和预计寿命，和4）开发方法来识别化石冰斑，使他们可以被识别后，冰已经融化。 该项目还提供了对了解一个鲜为人知的地区的史前史和古生态学非常重要的基线数据，扩展了地质考古学的学科，并提供了对极地环境是气候，环境和文化变化的“晴雨表”这一概念的见解。 它通过激发公众、教育工作者和资源管理者对气候变化的认识，以及在古冰融化之前找到、收集和保存稀有有机物遗骸的必要性来加强教育。该计划还为美洲原住民提供了参与科学并为科学做出贡献的机会。 该项目的文物将支持一个地区博物馆/文化中心，为当地居民和游客提供文化和教育机会。

Ancient ice is melting as a result of climate change in high latitude regions. The life cycles and cultural use of poorly-known features of perennial ice, called "ice patches," are the focus of this research. Rare and well preserved organic artifacts, including clothing, baskets, and tools are melting from ice patches around the world. Radiocarbon dating demonstrates that these features have existed for thousands of years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate their role in high latitude human adaptations. Four locales identified by preliminary research in Alaska's Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST) are the focus of this program. Using cultural ecological and geoarcheological approaches the research documents and interprets the role of ice patches in early high latitude human adaptations, 2) interprets their role in high latitude cultural development, 3) defines ice patch composition, character, and projected longevity, and 4) develops methods to identify fossil ice patches so that they can be recognized after the ice has melted. This project also contributes baseline data important to understanding the prehistory and paleoecology of a poorly known region, expands the discipline of geoarcheology, and provides insights into the concept that polar environments are "barometers" of climate, environmental, and cultural change. It enhances education by exciting the public, educators, and resource managers about climate change and the need to locate, collect and preserve rare organic remains melting from ancient ice before they are lost forever. The program also provides opportunities for Native Americans to participate in, and contribute to, science. Artifacts from this project will support a regional museum/cultural center providing cultural and educational opportunities to local residents and tourists.