Animals, Lifeways and Lifeworlds in Yup'ik Archaeology (ALLY): Subsistence, Technologies, and Communities of Change
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
Bringing new technological, experimental and bioarchaeological expertise to a Yup'ik community archaeological research project, this consortium aims to recover new evidence to better understand continuity and change in the role of animals in subsistence, material culture and society through time in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Western Alaska. Although current excavations are illuminating Yup'ik life immediately prior to European contact, little is known about how animal-human interactions varied in the Yup'ik precontact past. This partnership of UK and French researchers (Archaeology, Aberdeen; PréTech, Nanterre), and academic and indigenous project partners (Willerslev/Raghavan; Qanirtuuq Inc.), aims to better understand the dietary, technological and societal roles of game animals amongst the Yup'ik and to shed light on the social structures and practices surrounding the procurement, processing, consumption and disposal of wild animal foods (foodways) in the precontact Yup'ik world. Through the course of this research, we seek to explore and make use of the synergies between the past and present. Via community workshops, we will co-study archaeological artefacts associated with foodways and pioneer experimental archaeology in Yup'ik contexts, including the replication of 'lost' craft types such as bone working. Archaeological and experimentally-replicated objects will serve as vehicles to discuss present and past ecosystem and social change, promoting trans-generational knowledge exchange and discourse between researchers and culture bearers, enhancing both scientific investigation and community well-being. Combining academic endeavour with traditional ways of knowing and local ecological knowledge will strengthen archaeological interpretations and, through exploring the dynamic past, empower Yup'ik communities coping with ecosystem and social change in the present.
Publications
Ameen C
(2019)
Specialized sledge dogs accompanied Inuit dispersal across the North American Arctic.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
Britton K
(2020)
New isotope evidence for diachronic and site-spatial variation in precontact diet during the Little Ice Age at Nunalleq, southwest Alaska
in Études/Inuit/Studies
Britton K
(2020)
Archaeologies of Climate Change: Perceptions and Prospects
in Études/Inuit/Studies
Britton K
(2018)
Stable carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotope analysis of permafrost preserved human hair from rescue excavations (2009, 2010) at the precontact site of Nunalleq, Alaska
in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Britton K
(2020)
The Past in the Yup'ik Present: Archaeologies of Climate Change in Western Alaska (Introduction to Special Issue)
in Études Inuit Studies
Korzow Richter K
(2020)
What's the catch? Archaeological application of rapid collagen-based species identification for Pacific Salmon
in Journal of Archaeological Science
Masson-MacLean E
(2020)
Pre-contact adaptations to the Little Ice Age in Southwest Alaska: New evidence from the Nunalleq site
in Quaternary International
Masson-MacLean E
Pre-contact Adaptations to the Little Ice Age in Southwest Alaska: new evidence from the Nunalleq site (15th-17th C. AD)
in Quaternary International
Masson-MacLean E
(2020)
Dogs: Archaeology Beyond Domestication
Runge AKW
(2021)
Palaeoproteomic analyses of dog palaeofaeces reveal a preserved dietary and host digestive proteome.
in Proceedings. Biological sciences
| Description | This project has provided new insights into the role of animals in the precontract Yup'ik world, including key subsistence species such as caribou and domestic species such as dog. Centred on the unique site of Nunalleq, this project combined chemical analyses/reconstruction of human diet, the analyses of faunal remains and the analyses of technoculture (tools, hunting implements and other cultural objects) to explore the ways in which animals held different places in the culture and society of western Alaska during the Little Ice Age. The result suggest that some species - such as domestic dogs - were vital economically and practically, but also set apart in how they were considered culturally. Differences in diet were revealed at the site, between it's different phases of occupation, which correlate with changes in the zooarchaeological record - suggesting that resources changed during the course of the Little Ice Age. Spatial analysis and genetic analyses revealed differences with status and space of the site, but - as yet - no differences between the diets of males and females living at the Nunalleq site. |
| Exploitation Route | Others could build on the results of this project to explore society and culture in precontact Western Alaska, and the impact of the Little Ice Age and local social and political on subsistence economies in this area (and others). The integration of different types of bioarchaeological data demonstrate the insights that can be gained from combining diverse lines of evidence, and the ways in which parallel studies can come together (e.g. biomolecular data with material culture studies; the combination of bioarchaeological and ecological evidence with artistic forms, etc.). |
| Sectors | Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
| Description | The carving workshops held in Quinhagak held in 2016 are part of a suite of community archaeology activities associated with this and other grants that are enhancing engagement with archaeological heritage in this area. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | North Theme |
| Amount | £1,980 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Aberdeen |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | Collaboration with University of Manchester (MB) |
| Organisation | University of Manchester |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Our team has contributed materials and academic questions to our collaboration, along with our expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have provided expertise in an analytical specialism (ZooMS) and facilities/analytical services. |
| Impact | Fur included in clay lamps from Nunalleq has been identified as dog using biomolecular approaches. This has implications for our understanding of animal-human relationships at Nunalleq and the role of dogs (the only Arctic domesticate) in the lifeworlds of the precontract Yup'ik. A paper is now in preparation for an international peer-reviewed journal. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Collaboration with Universtity of York/Copenhagen |
| Organisation | University of Copenhagen |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have contributed materials and expertise to a study on dog diet and health through the analysis of dog coprolites from Nunalleq, as a means of better understanding this important species at the site. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators are contributing analytical expertise in DNA analysis and proteomics. |
| Impact | The external experts have contributed data to the following project output: Masson-Maclean, E., Mcmanus-Fry, E. and Britton, K. in press. The archaeology of dogs at the precontact Yup'ik site of Nunalleq, Western Alaska. In: BURTT, A. AND BETHKE, B. (eds.) Beyond Domestication: Archaeological Investigations into the Human-Canine Connection. Florida: Univeristy of Florida Press. A further paper, focusing on the analyses of dog coprolites from the site to reconstruct diet, is now in review in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Collaboration with Universtity of York/Copenhagen |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Department | Department of Archaeology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have contributed materials and expertise to a study on dog diet and health through the analysis of dog coprolites from Nunalleq, as a means of better understanding this important species at the site. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators are contributing analytical expertise in DNA analysis and proteomics. |
| Impact | The external experts have contributed data to the following project output: Masson-Maclean, E., Mcmanus-Fry, E. and Britton, K. in press. The archaeology of dogs at the precontact Yup'ik site of Nunalleq, Western Alaska. In: BURTT, A. AND BETHKE, B. (eds.) Beyond Domestication: Archaeological Investigations into the Human-Canine Connection. Florida: Univeristy of Florida Press. A further paper, focusing on the analyses of dog coprolites from the site to reconstruct diet, is now in review in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | New collaboration with AHRC student MZ |
| Organisation | University of Liverpool |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The ALLY team (PI KB and PDRA EMM) are contributing fish remains (both modern and archaeological), and isotopic expertise, to a student PhD research project (AHRC-funded). |
| Collaborator Contribution | The AHRC-funded student (of University of Liverpool) is bringing their expertise in geometric morphometrics, and will come to University of Aberdeen for training in stable isotope analysis. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | AHRC-LABEX Workshop (Paris) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The PI and Co-I attended a joint AHRC-LABEX workshop in Paris with the French PI and RA, at Nanterre University. We made a joint presentation of this AHRC-LABEX funded project to other grant holders and theme leaders. Presentations (including ours) led to questions and discussion sessions about the nature of international partnerships, and working in cross-disciplinary teams. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Carving Workshop (Quinhagak) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An antler and mask carving workshop was held in Quinhagak Alaska, with members of the local community, running from July 2-4th. This brought together project scientist Claire Houmard, with other researchers, and the local community including culture-bearers and Elders with carving expertise. This sparked questions and discussions from younger members of the community, and replica artifacts based on original finds from the Nunalleq site were re-created. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://nunalleq.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/carving-workshop-day-2/ |
| Description | Community Meeting (Aberdeen) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Participation of project members, including ALLY project research assistant, investigators and community members in a workshop in Aberdeen brought together members of this team, and those from the associated Nunalleq project, with other university researchers and community members from three different countries (Alaska, Scotland and Japan). The challenges and benefits of linking communities to academic researchers through archaeology were explored, sparking lively discussion and new insights into community projects from community perspectives among academic staff. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://nunalleq.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/nunalleq-project-members-speak-at-community-archaeology-se... |
| Description | LABEX-AHRC ECR conference (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Project research assistant attended and presented at an Early Career Researcher event, hosted by the AHRC-LABEX in London, in December 2016. Primary data from this project was presented to an audience of other early career researchers, academics and theme leaders, and was well-received. This was also an opportunity for early career researchers to network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://nunalleq.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/past-matters-research-futures-conference/ |
| Description | Traditional fishing workshop/group meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Co-I KD and PDRA EMM ran a traditional fishing group meeting in Quinhagak, in order to better understand traditional fishing techniques and fish processing past and present. This included participating in fishing and discussions with Elders, and exploring archaeological data on fishing from the Nunalleq site, including their reflections on the archaeological data. The Elders reflected that the occupants of Nunalleq had access to a wide range of resources, and also provided interesting new interpretations pertaining to the ecology of favoured prey-species. These details informed interpretation of some of the archaeological data. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |