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

该项目通过将传统知识和同位素分析应用于考古壁炉遗迹的解释，改进了阿拉斯加中部生存传统的重建。来自50多个遗产收藏和实验烹饪特征的同位素数据将被分析，以重建过去的生存实践。实验和传统的炉床残留物将与新挖掘的炉床进行比较，这些炉床是通过在塔纳纳山谷中部不同生态环境中的两个地点进行有针对性的挖掘而恢复的。研究将与阿拉斯加土著青年在夏季文化营的导师和动手学习机会相结合。本科生和研究生以及一名博士后研究员将受益于实地和实验室为基础的培训和教育机会。该项目采用1）遗产和实验壁炉遗迹的同位素和分子分析; 2）在阿拉斯加中部的两个遗址，天鹅角和Niidhaayh Na '进行有针对性的挖掘; 3）分析新发现的考古材料;以及4）与社区利益相关者一起解释和综合结果。同位素，分子，大型植物学和人工数据收集在这个项目期间将被用来重建晚更新世和早全新世的生存，饮食广度和古气候。PI将测试关于高地和低地生态区的使用以及相对于环境条件和人口压力的资源可用性的假设。预期成果包括一个旅游教育展览，同行评议的期刊文章，多个研究助理和硕士论文，一篇论文，两年的培训，导师和博士后学者的研究经验。该奖项旨在将一位有前途的研究人员定位为跨学科STEM职业的教师和富有成效的北极科学家。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.