CAREER: Reconstructing Subsistence, Diet Breadth, and Paleoclimate in Interior Alaska during Social and Climatic Transitions

该项目通过应用传统知识和同位素分析来解释考古壁炉遗迹，完善了阿拉斯加中部生存传统的重建。来自50多个传统收藏品和实验性烹饪特征遗骸的同位素数据将被分析，以重建过去的生存实践。实验和遗留的炉缸残留物将与塔纳纳河谷中部不同生态环境下的两个地点通过定向挖掘新挖掘的炉灶进行比较。研究将与指导和在夏季文化夏令营为阿拉斯加土著青年提供实践学习机会相结合。本科生和研究生以及一名博士后研究人员将从实地和实验室培训和教育机会中受益。该项目采用了1)对遗迹和实验壁炉遗骸进行同位素和分子分析；2)对阿拉斯加中部的两个遗址--天鹅角和Niidhaayh Na‘进行定向挖掘；3)分析新发现的考古材料；4)与社区利益攸关方解释和综合结果。在这个项目中收集的同位素、分子、宏观植物学和人工数据将被用于重建晚更新世和早全新世的生存、饮食广度和古气候。PI将测试与环境条件和人口压力相关的高地和低地生态区的使用以及资源可用性的假设。预期结果包括一次巡回教育展览、同行评议的期刊文章、多个研究助理奖学金和硕士论文、一篇论文，以及两年的博士后学者培训、指导和研究经验。这一奖项将一名有前途的研究人员定位为一名从事跨学科STEM职业生涯的教师和多产的北极科学家。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project refines reconstructions of subsistence traditions in central Alaska by applying traditional knowledge and isotopic analysis to the interpretation of archaeological hearth remains. Isotopic data from over fifty legacy collections and remains of experimental cooking features will be analyzed to reconstruct past subsistence practices. Experimental and legacy hearth residues will be compared with newly excavated hearths recovered through targeted excavations at two sites in different ecological settings in the middle Tanana Valley. Research will be combined with mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities for Alaska Native youth at summer culture camps. Undergraduate and graduate students as well as one post-doctoral researcher will benefit from field- and lab-based training and educational opportunities.This project employs 1) isotopic and molecular analysis of legacy and experimental hearth remains; 2) targeted excavation at two sites in central Alaska, Swan Point and Niidhaayh Na’; 3) analysis of newly recovered archaeological materials; and 4) interpretation and synthesis of results with community stakeholders. The isotopic, molecular, macrobotanical, and artifactual data collected during this project will be used to reconstruct late Pleistocene and early Holocene subsistence, diet breadth, and paleoclimate. The PI will test hypotheses regarding use of upland and lowland ecological zones and resource availability relative to environmental conditions and demographic pressures. Anticipated outcomes include a traveling educational exhibit, peer-reviewed journal articles, multiple research assistantships and master’s theses, one dissertation, and two years of training, mentorship, and research experience for a postdoctoral scholar. This award positions a promising researcher for an interdisciplinary STEM career as an engaged teacher and productive Arctic scientist.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.