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The Emerging Archaeology of Glaciers and Ice Patches: Examples from Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

E. James Dixon ,
William F. Manley  and
Craig M. Lee
E. James Dixon
Affiliation:
University Museum, Department of Anthropology, and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado at Boulder, 450 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0450
William F. Manley
Affiliation:
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado at Boulder, 450 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0450
Craig M. Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado at Boulder, 450 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0450
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Abstract

Melting and retreating glaciers and ice patches (aniuvat) have revealed frozen archaeological remains on several continents, including North America. Artifacts from these sites provide information about high-latitude and high-altitude human adaptations and unique insights into prehistoric material culture. A Geographic Information System (GIS) model, “Modeling Archaeological Potential of Ice and Snow,” or MAPIS, is being developed to focus aerial reconnaissance and pedestrian survey for archaeological and paleontological site discovery over vast areas containing glaciers and ice patches. Two field surveys in Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve refined the MAPIS model and documented historic and prehistoric artifacts on the surface of recently melted glaciers and aniuvat. Because thawed and exposed organic artifacts decompose or are destroyed soon after exposure, there is an urgent need to locate and preserve them before they are lost forever.

Résumé

Résumé

Los glaciales y espacios de hielo (aniuvat) que se separan y derriten han revelado vestigios arqueológicos congelados en varios continentes, incluyendo Norte América. Los artefactos provenientes de estos sitios han proporcionado información sobre adaptaciones humanas en altitudes considerables y entendimiento sobre la cultura material prehistórica. Un modelo de Sistema de Información Geográfica (GIS) “Modelo de Potencial Arqueológico de Hielo y Nieve”, o MAPIS se desarrolla enfocando el reconocimiento aéreo y pedestre para descubrimientos arqueológicos y paleontológicos en vastas áreas que contienen glaciales y espacios de hielo. Dos reconocimientos de campo en el Parque Nacional Wrangell-St. Elias y Preserve, Alaska, han refinado el modelo MAPIS y han documentado artefactos históricos y prehistóricos en la superficie de los glaciales y aniuvats que se han derretido recientemente. Debido a que los materiales orgánicos se descomponen rápidamente al ser expuestos después del derretimiento del hielo, existe una necesidad urgente para localizarlos y preservarlos antes que se pierdan para siempre.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 70 , Issue 1 , January 2005 , pp. 129 - 143
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2005

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