Concept information
Preferred term
HERITAGE-ICE
Definition
- Short Title: Heritage in Ice Proposal URL: http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=435 This Activity involves science and social science research that has been initiated as a result of the recent melting of glaciers and alpine ice patches. Melting of these scientific deep freezes, is providing unanticipated data sources that are giving us insight into past northern societies, flora/fauna, environments, and their changes through time. The field work is already happening as various independent projects in different northern North American jurisdictions (both Canada and United States), operating under northern leadership and direction. These projects will continue to operate in a similar manner if endorsed as an official IPY Activity. Thus the following Activity Summary refers to the work in general, rather than in project-specific terms. In 1997/98, ancient organic artifacts and biological remains, particularly large quantities of caribou dung, were first found melting out of an alpine ice patch in southern Yukon, Canada (Kuyzk, et al., 1999, Arctic 52-2:214-219). The following year, 1999, the remains of Kwaday Dan Tsinchi meaning Long Ago Person Found” in Southern Tutchone (Athapaskan) were found melting out of a glacier in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park in adjacent northwestern British Columbia, Canada (Beattie et al.,, 2000, Canadian Journal of Archaeology 24:129-147). In 1999, more artifacts and biological remains were found at other melting south Yukon ice patches. Within a few summer field seasons of research, significant specimens and samples (paleo-biological, or paleobiological and archaeological) were identified and/or collected from more than 70 mountain-top ice patches in the latter jurisdiction. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the frozen organic remains being recovered from the Yukon ice patch sites spanned the entire Holocene period (Farnell et al., 2004, Arctic 57-3:247-259. Hare et al., 2004, Arctic 57-3:260-272). The banking and curation of the samples/specimens recovered as a result of the Yukon ice patch work has been coordinated by the Yukon Government (Renewable Resources, and Heritage-Archaeology) with local study and analysis of materials, as well as research and identification work by collaborating scientists from other institutions. Studies related to the ancient artifacts have included feather identification and analysis by staff of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington (Dove, et al., 2005, Arctic 58-1:38-43), and paint analysis by staff of the Canadian Conservation Institute in Ottawa (Helwig et al., unpublished). Studies related to the biological specimens have been wide-ranging, including: research on species, particularly caribou, genetic history through mtDNA research; caribou dietary analysis; industrial contaminants analysis; parasite history; pollen and vegetation history; ice patch shrinkage over time; etc. (Farnell et al., ibid.). The Kwaday Dan Tsinchi project is also locally administered, with the concerned indigenous government, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, jointly managing the project with the province. The provincial museum (Royal British Columbia Museum), the Provincial Parks department, as well as scientists based in Canada, Germany, and Scotland are working with the community on the study and interpretation of this find, and the materials recovered there-from, with results now being published (e.g., Monsalve et al., 2002, American Journal of Physical Anthropology 119-3:288-291; Dickson et al., 2004, Holocene 14-4:481-486; Mudie et al., 2005, Canadian Journal of Botany 83:111-123; Richards et al., in press, American Antiquity). Both the discovery and the manner in which this unique find is being managed continue to receive international attention; the project is often pointed out as an example of how scientists and First Nations can work together on even the most sensitive of subject areas, human remains. Colleagues began fieldwork in adjacent Alaska in 2001, continuing in 2003, attempting to find glacier or ice patch archaeological sites in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This work involved the development of a predictive model for identifying locations that should be targeted in the search for archaeological and/or biological specimens in these frozen landscapes (Dixon et al., 2005, American Antiquity 70-1:129-143). In 2003, state archaeologists successfully identified ice patch archaeological sites in the Tangle Lakes (Denali Highway) area of the state (Vanderhoek et al., in press, Alaska Journal of Anthropology). Fieldwork has continued in this location and elsewhere in the state, with ongoing analysis of the recovered materials. The identification of ice patch sites yielding biological and cultural specimens and samples began in the Mackenzie Mountains region of Northwest Territories, Canada in 2005, with positive results (Andrews, 2005 communication to Activity leader). Plans are underway to search for ice patch sites in the Atlin area of northern British Columbia, Canada in 2006 (French, 2005 communication to Activity leader). Archaeological survey to search for specimens melting out of glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, U.S. is also to be initiated in 2006 (Howell, 2005 communication to Activity leader). Fieldwork to find and recover the specimens and samples melting out of the glaciers and ice patches in northwestern North America, as well as to study the melting phenomena themselves, takes place during the height of the summer melt season each August. The fieldwork is generally conducted as day trips or short excursions, relying on helicopters for logistic support; over-view (fixed wing) flights have also been found to be useful. The materials being recovered from these frozen contexts include ancient artifacts, biological materials such as small bird and animal remains, dung from different species but predominantly caribou in the case of the ice patch sites, plant macro and micro remains, and ice block samples. The specimens collected are often fragile and following field documentation, in many cases must be quickly transferred to refrigerated storage to prevent deterioration. After recovery, the specimens and samples are curated in local government facilities whenever possible; professional Conservators are stabilizing the more fragile and significant artifact pieces. Laboratory work to study both the biological and archaeological specimens and samples recovered during these projects is being undertaking by government researchers based in the north, where-ever possible, working in collaboration with scientists/specialists at southern institutions. The local communities are involved, as well, in the study and interpretation of the recovered materials. For example, funds are being sought to document traditional indigenous knowledge related to the unique archaeological finds being collected by the Yukon Ice Patch project. Research to document the traditional aboriginal use of these landscapes is also part of the some of the projects. Museum displays on some of the finds are already in place, e.g., Kwaday Dan Tsinchi at the Royal British Columbia Museum, and more are in the works. (en)
Broader concept
- G - I (en)
URI
https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/kms/concept/41d39791-c890-40ba-98af-b91b0354b756
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