Ice Patch Archeology

由于高纬度地区的气候变化，古冰正在融化。被称为“冰片”的多年生冰的鲜为人知的特征的生命周期和文化利用是这项研究的重点。稀有而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原上融化。放射性碳定年法表明，这些特征已经存在了数千年，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。在阿拉斯加弗兰格尔圣伊莱亚斯国家公园和保护区（WRST）的初步研究中确定的四个地点是该计划的重点。利用文化生态学和地质考古学的方法，研究记录并解释了冰块在早期高纬度人类适应中的作用；2)解释了它们在高纬度文化发展中的作用；3)定义了冰块的组成、特征和预期寿命；4)开发了识别化石冰块的方法，以便在冰融化后识别它们。该项目还为了解一个鲜为人知的地区的史前和古生态提供了重要的基线数据，扩展了地质考古学的学科，并为极地环境是气候、环境和文化变化的“晴雨表”这一概念提供了见解。它通过激发公众、教育工作者和资源管理者对气候变化的兴趣，以及在古冰融化的稀有有机遗骸永远消失之前找到、收集和保护它们的必要性，加强了教育。该项目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.