cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.18739/a2qs3r
title: Understanding Climate_Driven Phenological Change: Observations, Adaptations and Cultural Implications in Northeastern Siberia and Labrador/Nunatsiavut (PHENARC)

description: This project is an interdisciplinary effort to systematically document, model, and interpret key linkages between physical, biological and human systems in the context of changing seasonality (phenology) due to global and local climate change. In line with the CSAS solicitation, the primary research objective of PHENARC is to understand the linkages between Arctic system climate change, altered phenological processes, and adaptations and responses of human societies to these changes to decipher implications for the future. The project?s overarching research questions are: i) What are the key seasonal events that form an integral part of the ecosystems in PHENARC?s two main study areas of northeastern Siberia and Labrador?; ii) How are these seasonal events changing, and what specific phenological shifts are occurring in these study areas?; iii) What are the drivers of these seasonal events, and how do they ripple through/affect the entire system?; iv) How are phenological changes and their resulting ecosystem impacts affecting the timing of people?s subsistence and other activities?; v) How are these societal changes in turn affecting the larger cultural system? In order to answer such questions, PHENARC will employ qualitative and quantitative methods of field study, retrospective investigations, and modeling/synthesis techniques. Data sources will include: systematic meteorological observations; climate proxy data; documentary historical records; oral history; and data drawn from interviews with contemporary respondents in the project?s two study areas. PHENARC builds upon the solid foundation of Arctic systems data already established by the project PIs in the Arctic/Subarctic regions of northeastern Siberia and Labrador/Nunatsiavut, two arctic regions not extensively studied before, that provide a variety of terrains, and ecosystem and human communities for a robust comparative study. Additionally, the communities differ in cultural and ethnic mix. PHENARC represents a novel approach to advancing knowledge of key linkages between climate and human systems by integrating Arctic climate data with local knowledge drawn from rural native communities in two distinct arctic regions. PHENARC involves the targeted communities, regional and national specialists, and a team of international collaborators and affiliates. By investigating patterns of seasonality in two disparate arctic regions that are each home to a dynamic contrast of mixed and native settlements, and with a resulting potential transfer of knowledge across scales and international borders, PHENARC?s contribution to global knowledge promises to be considerable with high potential for disseminating widely new knowledge regarding changing seasonality in Arctic climate and human systems. Project is includes a close collaboration with local community residents and the results will be disseminated widely on local, regional, and circumpolar levels.
DOI: 10.18739/a2cz32589
title: Cape Espenberg Birnirk Project (CEBP) faunal material summary analysis (2016-2019)

description: This research brings together researchers and community members to develop a deeper and broader understanding of the Birnirk archaeological complex and its contribution to the emergence of the Inupiat culture. Using archaeological, genetic, and environmental data sets, project participants examine the question of a cultural break around AD 1000 in northwest Alaska and the implications for later cultural development in the region. This dataset provides summary statistics for a sample of the faunal material collected from two seasons of excavation of an early Thule house and a Birnirk house. The main goal of the faunal analysis is to test the hypothesis that Birnirk people used the environment and animal resources in different ways than later Thule Inuit. These changes are explored in relation to the larger cultural and environmental contexts of changing climate, ecology, technology, interaction, and social organization reconstructed in collaboration with the other analyses in this collaborative project.
DOI: 10.18739/a2nc5sd2m
title: Cape Espenberg Birnirk Project (CEBP) human mitogenome summary analysis (2016-2019)

description: Genetic characterization of past Inuit populations has been limited due to the lack of genetic information from individuals associated with the Birnirk culture (1300-700 BP). “Beringian-specific” maternal lineages A2a, A2b1, and D4b1a2a1a have been documented in Thule Inuit populations (950-50 BP) throughout the North American Arctic. However, only haplotype A2a has been reported in five individuals excavated from the Paipelghak site on Chukotka peninsula. It remains unclear if Birnirk individuals are genetically distinct from Thule Inuit populations. Genetic research of past populations from western Alaska, a proposed transition area between the Birnirk and Thule material cultures, provides an opportunity to address this uncertainty. Segments from the first hypervariable region of the mitochondrial control region were sequenced from thirty-eight Birnirk individuals from the Alaskan North Slope and two Thule individuals excavated from Cape Espenberg. Twenty-three individuals yielded full, contamination-free control region sequences and possess mitochondrial lineages A2a, A2a1, A2a3, A2b1, and D4b1a2a1a. These results indicate an expansion of the observed maternal lineage diversity and confirms Birnirk populations as direct maternal ancestors to the Thule Inuit.
DOI: 10.18739/a25g29
title: Concordance of genetic and subfossil evidence for the Holocene radiation of the Holarctic Eubosmina, 1998-2006

description: We investigated the evolutionary radiation of a freshwater zooplankter that possesses a mixed breeding system and a detailed, dated, subfossil record. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships among the proposed species with complete nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 2 mitochondrial gene sequence variation. We sequenced 374 Eubosmina specimens representing 10 out of 11 distinct morphospecies from 86 water bodies in three separate Holarctic regions. As expected for a Holocene radiation, there was a lack of monophyly for the proposed species and rare sharing of derived haplotypes among some species. Nevertheless, the proposed species exhibited little or no sharing of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid haplotypes. Moreover, the phylogenetic and haplotype network results revealed a radiation pattern that is concordant with the subfossil record‐with an older Bosmina (E.) longispina radiating into several new forms. Our results bolster the subfossil, morphometric, experimental, and within-population genetic evidence that the common arctic B. (E.) longispina has radiated into several incipient species during the Holocene.
DOI: 10.18739/a2ng4d
title: Fornbyli Landscape and Archaeological Survey on Hegranes (FLASH) Final Report 2017

description: This report describes survey, excavation, and environmental analysis carried out at outlying ruins and archaeological places (fornbyli) on Hegranes, Skagafjordur, North Iceland in 2017, as well as updates to work carried out in 2015 and 2016. The FLASH research had two primary purposes: first, to locate, date, and characterize the nature of the activities performed at the fornbyli locations; and second, to describe and understand the sequences of soil erosion, sediment deposition, and landscape change that have occurred on Hegranes since the settlement of Iceland ca. 870 AD. Preliminary interpretations suggest that many fornbyli were inhabited early, that the sites were reused for multiple purposes after habitation ceased, through the medieval period and later, and that the overall landscape of Hegranes has been subject to significant erosion and alteration over the course of its history. Most of the fornbyli were inhabited prior to ca. 950 AD, and several of them were relatively large during the 10th and 11th centuries, comparable in size to farms that would later become much larger and more successful. Others seem only to have been inhabited for a short time, perhaps as a temporary or seasonal work site. None show evidence of habitation much after ca. 1104, and from that time until after the late 18th century, many of the sites were rebuilt as farm infrastructure for livestock management (stekkir and beitarhus, constructed between 1104 and the 19th century, are often still visible), only to be finally abandoned and fall to ruin before the 20th century. Preliminary environmental analysis suggests two significant periods of erosion: prior to 1104, and after 1766, roughly corresponding to the periods when the use of the sites was changing. Preliminary analysis of carbon content at nearby mires further suggests that wetlands were more likely to persist through time close to the sites than farther away, perhaps a result of intentional preservation to support wetland exploitation. Indeed, coring further shows that wetlands near most of the sites were exploited for peat and turf through most of their history.
DOI: 10.18739/a2p57r
title: Fornbyli Landscape and Archaeological Survey on Hegranes (FLASH) Interim Report 2015, Iceland

description: In 2015, the Fornbyli Landscape and Archaeological Survey on Hegranes (FLASH) project and the Skagafjordur Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) conducted survey and excavation in and around known outlying ruins, archaeological places (fornbyli), and extensive fields at the farms of As, Keflavik, Egg, Hroarsdalur, Gardur, Helluland, and Keldudalur on Hegranes in Skagafjordur, North Iceland. The work was performed to meet the goals of the Skagafjordur Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) and for Kathryn Catlin's doctoral dissertation research towards her PhD at Northwestern University. The FLASH research had two primary purposes: first, to locate, date, and to the extent possible, characterize the nature of the activities performed at the fornbyli locations; and second, to describe and understand the sequences of soil erosion and sediment deposition that have occurred on Hegranes, both near and distant from the fornbyli and the major farms, since the settlement of Iceland ca. 870 AD. Coring was performed at all seven farms with multiple objectives for both projects. At Keflavik, As, and Keldudalur, coring was employed to (1) determine the establishment date and extent of the medieval farm mounds near the farmstead center; (2) locate areas of human activity and measure soil depth in the fields immediately surrounding the medieval farm mounds; and (3) determine the dates, use, and environmental context of fornbyli at the margins of the modern farms. At Gardur and Hroarsdalur, coring concentrated on (1) the farm mounds and (2) the extensive nearby fields. At Egg and Helluland, coring was only undertaken at (3) two of the fornbyli. This document reports on (2) extensive field coring and (3) coring at the fornbyli. (1) Coring and excavations in the farm mounds fell under the purview of the main SCASS project and are reported elsewhere. Test pits at Minni-As and Tunfotur (on As) targeted the oldest locations of ash middens as determined from coring survey, and additional profiles at Minni-As and Thraelagerdi (on Keflavik) were placed to characterize erosion at a distance from human habitation. Limited finds (primarily faunals) were retrieved. Macrobotanical flotation samples were obtained from all pre-1300 contexts, along with radiocarbon samples when feasible. Preliminary interpretations of the work suggest that many fornbyli were constructed early and reused for multiple purposes through the medieval period and later, and that the overall landscape of Hegranes has been subject to significant erosion and landscape change over the course of its history. In particular, the timing of transitions from well-drained to boggy soils in low-lying areas will be investigated in 2016 and 2017.
DOI: 10.18739/a2dp15
title: Fornbyli Landscape and Archaeological Survey on Hegranes (FLASH) Interim Report 2016, Iceland

description: In 2016, the Fornbyli Landscape and Archaeological Survey on Hegranes (FLASH) project and the Skagafjordur Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) continued survey and excavation in and around known outlying ruins and archaeological places (fornbyli) on the farms of As (Naefursstadur), Keflavik (including Kriki and Thraelagerdi), Egg (Minni-Egg), Helluland (Haagerdi and Kotid), and Hamar (Hendilkot) on Hegranes in Skagafjordur, North Iceland. The work was performed to meet the goals of Kathryn Catlin's doctoral dissertation research towards her PhD at Northwestern University as part of the Skagafjordur Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS). Additional coring by SCASS in 2016 at the outlying fields of Gardur (Hegranesthing), Keta, Rip, Utanverdunes, Keflavik, Egg (including Rein), Helluland (including Asgrimsstadir), and Hamar are described in separate reports, along with specific details and analysis of the farmsteads at these major sites. The FLASH research had two primary purposes: first, to locate, date, and to the extent possible, characterize the nature of the activities performed at the fornbyli locations; and second, to describe and understand the sequences of soil erosion, sediment deposition, and landscape change that have occurred on Hegranes, both near and distant from the fornbyli sites and the major farms, since the settlement of Iceland ca. 870 AD. Coring was employed by FLASH and SCASS to (1) determine the establishment date and extent of the medieval settlements and farmsteads; (2) locate areas of human activity and measure soil depth in the fields immediately surrounding the medieval settlements; and (3) determine the dates, use, and environmental context of fornbyli sites. Preliminary interpretations of the work suggest that many fornbyli were inhabited early, that the sites were reused after habitation ceased for multiple purposes through the medieval period and later, and that the overall landscape of Hegranes has been subject to significant erosion and alteration over the course of its history. Most of the fornbyli were inhabited prior to ca. 950 AD, and several of them were relatively large during the 10th and 11th centuries, comparable in size to farms that would later become much larger and more successful. Others seem only to have been inhabited for a short time, perhaps as a temporary or seasonal work site. None show evidence of habitation much after ca. 1104, and from that time until after the late 18th century, many of the sites were rebuilt as farm infrastructure for livestock management, only to be finally abandoned and fall to ruin before the 20th century. Preliminary environmental analysis suggests two significant periods of erosion: prior to 1104, and after 1766, roughly corresponding to the periods when the use of the sites was changing. The relationship between mire development and site use will be further investigated in 2017, along with the character and timing of habitation at the remaining sites.
DOI: 10.18739/a2259x
title: Healy Lake Village Lithic Analysis

description: Lithic analysis of a data sample from the main excavation block at Healy Lake Village. Materials excavated 1967-1971.
DOI: 10.18739/a2dz9z
title: Islands of Four Mountains Artifact Analysis, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 2013

description: This international and interdisciplinary project investigated connections among geological, ecological, and human systems in the Islands of the Four Mountains, Aleutian Islands. Extending 1800 km between the North American and Asian continents, the Aleutian Islands divide the northern Pacific Ocean from the Bering Sea. Given their unique subpolar location, their genesis on a volcanically- and seismically-active plate boundary, and their gradual colonization by humans during the past 9000 years, the Aleutian Islands are an excellent natural archaeological laboratory for tracking past: (1) human ecology, (2) subarctic human-environmental reciprocal relationships and, (3) geological influences, sometimes catastrophic, on human society. Host to some of the world's most active volcanoes, the Four Mountains provided a superlative opportunity to assess the development of prehistoric human risk management of, and adaptations to, environmental instability (climate change, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, sea level fluctuations) through deep time. Four Mountain prehistoric sites are highly significant in light of new geologic data indicating volcanic activity during human migration and societal development in the Aleutians. Extensive new radiocarbon, paleoenvironmental, and cultural data extracted from these sites yielded novel insights into North Pacific Rim regional interactions, Unangan coping mechanisms, changing subsistence, and adaptations during the prehistoric and European contact periods. The primary research goals in the Four Mountains region was understanding: (1) how human cultures and behavior have been shaped by Holocene climatic, biotic and geologic change; and (2) how human cultures have used and impacted biotic environments. Researchers tested and documented: a) relationships of and interactions among human groups who peopled the Aleutians, b) long-term change in Holocene environments and consequent change in terrestrial and marine animal populations and diversity, much of which constituted human resources; c) human responses to shifts in the distribution, diversity, and abundance of resources and, d) human coping mechanisms and resilience in the face of potentially catastrophic climatic and geological forces.
DOI: 10.18739/a2xg6n
title: Linda's Point Excavation Data 2011-2014

description: Excel file containing the artifact catalog for the Linda's Point site excavations
DOI: 10.18739/a27m0j
title: SICSP: Bioarchaeology

description: Results of zooarchaeological, paloebotanical and other bioarchaeological research related to the SICSP project goals of understanding the causes, processes and impacts of the catastrophic destruction of the Broo Township, Dunrossness, Shetland Islands, UK, by aeolian sand deposition.
DOI: 10.18739/a2mc8rg7b
title: St. Paul Island AK, fossil pollen & spores

description: Fossil pollen and coprophilous spore data from lake sediment cores collected from Lake Hill, St. Paul Island, AK. These data are from the upper 734m of the lake sediments and roughly represent the last 11,000 years. These data are also being published in the Neotoma Paleoecology Database (http://www.neotomadb.org).
DOI: 10.18739/a2ms8q
title: SICSP: Archaeology, Historiography and Ethnography

description: Results of archaeological, archival, and ethnographic or oral history research related to the SICSP project goals of understanding the causes, processes and impacts of the catastrophic destruction of the Broo Township, Dunrossness, Shetland Islands, UK, by aeolian sand deposition.
DOI: 10.18739/a27s7hs0f
title: Stability assessment, Avayalik Island Cluster, Labrador, Canada, 800-1000 CE

description: This Rapid Response Research (RAPID) award funded two weeks of fieldwork in northern Labrador, Canada. Parks Canada provided Kaplan the vessel, its crew, and polar bear monitors free of charge to accomplish the project. The goal of the fieldwork was to assess the stability of a Middle Dorset (800 CE to 1,000 CE; CE meaning Common Era or the equivalent of 1,216 years ago to 1,016 years ago as of the present date: 2016 CE) archaeological site (Avayalik-1, House 1), located on an outer island 25 miles south of the tip of Labrador. Researchers investigated the vulnerability of Avayalik-1 to rising sea levels and the thawing of permafrost, with the intention of contributing to discussions on how to assess, monitor, and preserve such sites. This information is of great interest to the scientific community, culture resource managers, and also to the indigenous residents who are in many cases the decedents of the original occupants. Avayalik-1, House 1 is a scientifically unique Middle Dorset site. It was last investigated in 1978, and yielded organic artifacts and faunal remains unsurpassed in quantity and preservation by any other Labrador Middle Dorset sites due to the fact the cultural deposits were permanently frozen. However, given the current warming of the Arctic and the rapid thawing of permafrost, many Arctic heritage sites thought for decades to be safe while in the frozen ground are under threat. Avayalik-1 is such a site. The dataset contains specific archaeology site locations, photographs, fieldnotes, and an archaeology collection inventory. The information is being used to assess the stability of Avayalik-1, a Paleoeskimo site of importance to understanding the prehistory of Labrador, Canada. According to the terms of the research permit, the data collected must be deposited with Parks Canada, the archaeology office of the Province of Labrador-Newfoundland, and Nunatsiavut Archaeology Office. The data can be accessed through those repositories only, for Canada considers exact locations and the contents of archaeological sites protected information. Once the collections are across the border and analyzed they will be published and the data deposited with the approved repositories.
DOI: 10.18739/a2w08wh36
title: General Reports from the Skagafjörður Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) 2015-2017

description: As part of an archaeological settlement survey on Hegranes, in Skagafjörður, Northwest Iceland farmsteads were investigated archaeologically with a program of cores and test excavations to estimate their size and establishment date. This work is part of the larger Skagafjörður Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS). These reports are part of the general archaeological program on Hegranes. There are also specific reports on specific locations in other data sets. The Skagafjörður Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) is a joint archaeological project of the Skagafjörður Heritage Museum and the Fiske Center at UMass Boston. The archaeological work seeks to determine if the settlement pattern of the 9th-century colonization of Iceland affected the development of the religious and economic institutions that dominated the 14th century.
DOI: 10.18739/a2c24qn9b
title: Hegranesþing: Archaeological Reports 2013-2017. Includes geophysics, coring, & excavation results.

description: The reports outline the Skagafjörður Church and Settlement Survey (SCASS) archaeological work at Hegranesþing (Hegranes assembly place) at this complex and important site from 2013-2017. The geophysical results, using the CMD Mini-Explorer, give a more detailed picture of the site than the 2016 Explorer results. The geophysical results suggest that there are substantial remains and important deposits that are not visible on the surface. The coring suggests these substantial and continuous remains are consistent with permanent continuously occupied Viking Age and medieval farmsteads. The first of the two 1 x 1 meter (m) excavations suggest that the northern area was occupied during the settlement period and abandoned well before the AD 1104 volcanic tephra fell and is not associated with the visible churchyard. The second excavation suggests that the southern area, near the visible churchyard, was occupied after the settlement period and abandoned before the AD 1300 tephra fell and this occupation is likely associated with the churchyard. The combined results suggest that there may be a third area primarily occupied 1104-1300 northwest of the visible churchyard, but more work is necessary to confirm this third occupation.