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。将分析来自50多个遗留收藏品和实验烹饪特征遗迹的同位素数据，以重建过去的生存实践。在塔纳纳山谷中部不同生态环境的两个地点，通过有针对性的挖掘，将实验和遗留灶台残留物与新发掘的灶台进行比较。研究将结合指导和实践学习的机会，阿拉斯加土著青年在夏季文化营。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的培训和教育机会。该项目采用1)对遗存和实验炉膛残留物进行同位素和分子分析；2)在阿拉斯加中部天鹅角（Swan Point）和尼德哈耶纳（Niidhaayh Na’）两个地点进行定向挖掘；3)新出土考古材料分析；4)与社区利益相关者解释和综合结果。该项目收集的同位素、分子、宏观植物学和人工数据将用于重建晚更新世和全新世早期的生存、饮食广度和古气候。指数将检验关于高地和低地生态区的利用和相对于环境条件和人口压力的资源供应的假设。预期的成果包括巡回教育展览，同行评审的期刊文章，多个研究助理和硕士论文，一篇论文，以及两年的培训，指导和博士后学者的研究经验。该奖项将一名有前途的跨学科STEM研究人员定位为一名敬业的教师和富有成效的北极科学家。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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.