article

The crucible of Early to Mid-Holocene climate in northern Alaska: does Northern Archaic represent the people of the spreading forest?

Arctic anthropology45 (2) • Published In 2008 • Pages: 39-70

By: Mason, Owen K., Bigelow, Nancy H..

Abstract
The authors check geological data (e.g. flooding, loess fall, soil formation, lake levels, glacial expansions) for evidence of the Holocene paleo-climate and paleo-environment, and examine in detail the stratigraphy at Onion Portage and Tingmiukpuk, testing the hypothesis that the Northern Archaic tradition developed in response to a post-Pleistocene expansion of forests. Their research reveals just how dynamic the geological landscape and climate were, suggesting that taphonomic processes may have destroyed many earlier archaeological sites and obscured others, leading to a lack of early Holocene sites.
Subjects
Dating methods in archaeology
Climate
Topography and geology
Soil
Flora
Chronologies and culture sequences
tradition
Northern Archaic
HRAF PubDate
2024
Region
North America
Sub Region
Arctic and Subarctic
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Types
Geoarchaeologist
Geologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2022
Field Date
1999 and 2006
Coverage Date
11000-3000 BP
Coverage Place
Alaska, United States
Notes
Owen K. Mason and Nancy H. Bigelow
Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-70)
LCCN
sf 78000711
LCSH
Arctic regions--Antiquities