Book

The archaeology of the Manokinak site: a study of the cultural transition between Late Norton Tradition and Historic Eskimo

University Microfilms International • Ann Arbor, Mich. • Published In 1997 • Pages:

By: Shaw, Robert Dane.

Abstract

Robert Shaw conducted excavations and analyzed the collections from the Manokinak site (MAR-007) located on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska for his dissertation. The site is an abandoned village midden with house pits which date from 1,200 years ago to this century. Due to the presence of permafrost the deposit contains numerous organic remains not usually preserved in Norton Tradition sites. The earliest deposit, component 1,(1,200 to 1,000 years ago) is classified as from the Norton Tradition due to the presence of check stamp pottery. Two other, later strata, components 2 and 3, are also discussed and show continuity between the Norton Tradition and modern-day Eskimo. Shaw then provides a general description of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta's geography, a brief ethnography of the recent past inhabitants of the region, and a brief description of previous archaeological investigations in the region. This is followed by a detailed description of the artifacts found at the site. Shaw proposes that the earliest component, component 1, be used as the defining type assemblage for the Yukon-Kuskokwim phase of the Norton cultural tradition.

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Notes

By Robert Dane Shaw

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Washington State University, 1983

UM 8325497

Includes bibliographical references (p. 366-377)

There are several editing mistakes in this dissertation. In particular, on pages 114-115, components 1 and 3 are reversed. Sample A and B are from component 3 and samples F, G, H, and I are from component 1, Another editorial error occurs on page 251. The text states artifact 6/144 is from component 2. The illustration on pp. 249-250, however,states artifact 6/144 is from component 1. This artifact is from square 6. As most of square 6 is component 1, artifact 6/144 in the opinion of the analyst, is from component 1.

LCSH

Eskimos--Antiquities