UAA anthropology found rewrite Aleutian social history

UAA anthropology found rewrite Aleutian social history

Diane Hanson can look back and laugh — right now.

More than 25 years have elapsed since she was young, and reported to the Alaska Anthropological Association as a graduate student in anthropology at Adak in the usual place, about 1. archeological site — Aleutian-coastline She and fellow workers found it very far inland, along the coast.

This is common. Since the 1950s, anthropology coastal communities was all that mattered was claimed in the Aleutians. Villagers hunting, wildlife need access to the island and most of all, there are no mammals just no reason to go hunting inland. The island interior were simply natural barrier between the marginal coastal communities. They were related.

Anthropology graduate student research results, kind of a young audience. "Cross" Hanson was how to remember the experience.

But later in the year, Hanson, now a Professor of anthropology, her hair to UAA. As it turns out, she was found in 1983, the site is independently confirmed by another anthropologist, 1993 and 2005, the National Science Foundation grant in the end $ 430000 help her win a $ 10,000 grant from the UAA's Secretary of graduate and undergraduate students with Hanson, she was discovered in 1983 near the site were excavated and Adak again one.

And guess what? She was right.

She again throughout every summer since, Adak, and expand her survey there has been a lot of upland sites away from the coastline. Answers to questions, and share this news is worried about Hanson and her research team.

Among them:

· The most accessible inland waterfowl in the Lake was an important food source?

· Some plants were required and how they use?

· Site for what was used in the Highlands?

· What is the relationship between these new coastal dwellings and found enclaves exist in upland between the?

· What's your story to the daily life can be for these new discoveries at?

"We were like, what life really is a simple way to view" co-worker Debbie Corbett, United States fish and Wildlife Service and the archaeologists said. "Scientists ' biological units, sharp objects and food are increasingly talking in terms of ' walk around, but these were people like us.

"They said, raising kids, sometimes irrational things, and getting into a political Brawl. There ALE actions, and we just don't know there are so many nuances in the activity. "

Whatever her research team finds public information widely Aleutian Island native groups, land managers, and educators will be shared with. Already have their Facebook page, and you tube channel, they find it has been a conduit for sharing what they find.

Thomas Mack, President of the Corporation says Hanson ALE works "our history and our culture, you can learn about. We like her integrity. She gives us the full report, and all the relics came back to us. "

Hansen describes her latest research and free public talk UAA campus bookstore, 5-7: displaying photos on Monday. Parking is a parking lot outside a bookstore to attend free of charge.

Modify the doctrine

As it turns out, the insist science Diane Hanson, this gene may be lucky.

Boss accused her of it once when she looked at him and asked, "How do you think I'm where I am?"

"Working class women in the home, the school made it through as a matter of fact, it is important to keep in your field. Especially in the field of anthropology, where they are looking for a husband to find really picture. I don't think they'll amount to anything because it does not get much attention.

"So you have your head down and get your degree or your research your way through the Bull."

It is a young graduate student of Anthropology Association has gelled that grit before castigated internal. "You told me you are in the wrong, you don't forget it at 25," she said.

But more personal satisfaction, Hanson and her graduate and undergraduate student researchers will achieve a significant contribution. They and the archaeological record, you're correct in fact confirmed by Corbett.

"All our research, we are a conservative bunch, archaeologists," she said, "especially when you're not a ' challenge ' received wisdom." a lot of forgiveness out there.

Corbett's favorite Aleutian for example? Every single home site excavated extensively on Adak charcoal exhibits use despite the fact that the structure and fire-cracked rock records, hearth still reflect the Aleuts did not use in their homes and hearths. Supposedly, they open the lamp and food to eat only raw. The evidence is just that longer, she said, is not supported.

A logistical nightmare

In the summer of 2010, probably the toughest years. Tempest hit a Weatherport equipment tent uprooting and briefly airborne spend their research sites. They lost their outhouse. Saturated electric gears filled with rain water, their excavation of the site. They are still alive and the outside world had to use their satellite phones.

This past summer, before they had their anchorage to Adak, finally landing a plane transmission from there, although much more fog. they to the West of Ireland for the scene around the United States fish and Wildlife Service vessel. Once he leaves the ship, Hanson said, they can be 4-8 weeks during his fieldwork season.

"3 weeks you anxiety," Hanson said. "6, you are like a couple with a different Quark. 8 yet? 8 weeks long really. "

But the team needs a lot of time to complete a single upland House thoroughly dig. It was a random selection of potential in the area of 22.

They go inside, and with them to plan for potential residents had taken everything, because the symbol artifact free "planned giving" House features. They make the most of what you find outside the points, had deleted things lamp broken broken.

But inside, they are Alaska Native science and engineering program to decrypt invites engineering students in both UAA some hope on the stove I've found a vent with sloping. What is the purpose of the circular floor down and back vents —? the column If you want to sort out yet another new puzzle for them.

Social media debut

Erica Saint Malo, the research team of graduate students the opportunity to develop and communicate with the audience, such as Facebook and you tube is introduced.

Photography, weekly outdoor work updates and video are common staples. Saint Malo her audience how to make it use Facebook page reader survey is completed and all have been for about a year, live.

Education in the subject area and environment interact with social media are in progress, currently are the subject of her master's thesis.

She still analyze the survey results; closed November 7. But she can provide this perspective. A total of 156 followers her survey audience of 32.

Whether or not they know what Adak was asked her "upland sites", which is the archaeological field school.

Facebook readers well done. everybody knows where what Adak, 86% of the audience fully understood that the most difficult questions about seemed "upland sites".

Hanson said she was a research fellow, social media, as soon as it is science publications than it is to hang about, consider how to push it.

"As soon as we get carbon date on the site, they come to Facebook," she said.

As far as the Central Aleutian-life and culture back to 2600 more revelation of the clock. Hanson is just more national research project will continue to apply for funding. If you go to next spring, will hear from her.  

Graduate student Erica Saint Malo archeological site describes the action in the field that was created by.

Kathleen McCoy College of the University of Alaska Anchorage Office of development for the work.