Heritage and Archaeology in Barrow, Alaska

Anne M. Jensen, PhD, RPA Sr. Scientist

UIC Science, LLC

Barrow: The Top of the World

Northern-most city in the United States

Major sites in the Barrow area

Utqiaġvik/Ukkuqsi

Piġniq (Birnirk NHL)

Piġniq (Birnirk NHL) 2003

The Nuvuk Site: The Top of the World

► Easy access from Barrow

Simulated ground temperatures at 1 meter depth for Alaska

for the periods 2000-09 (above) and 2090-99 (below)

2000-2009 2000-2009

2090-2099 2090-2099

Simulated active layer depth for Alaska for the periods 2000-09 (above) and 2090-99 (below)

Point Hope

Point Hope

Kivalina

Kivalina

Point Hope

Kivalina

Kivalina

Point Hope

It is projected that communities of Point Hope and Kivalina will lose their permafrost by 2100

Community members are interested in sites, but…

Community education about archaeology needed

Archaeology is not just digging That’s what the community had seen They thought that was the end of the process

Lab work, analysis and reporting are part of it too

Local archaeology being used as basis of lesson plans, but teachers know little about archaeology in general

Community buy-in on the work to be done

Particularly important when ancestral human remains may be involved

Important even if community is not the landowner

Need support from wide spectrum of groups, not just individuals

The Nuvuk Archaeology Project

Originally suggested by community members as part of cultural education grant

Project relies on local high school students

Work addresses local questions and concerns, as well as broader research questions

Community Members are involved in everything

Lab Work

Outcomes

Good Science Students Learn Non-local Students Learn Community Members

Learn Teahers Learn

Public Outreach

Multiplies effects

Public talks

Lab visits

School visits

Traditional media (print & broadcast)

Public Outreach

Facebook group

Twitter

Blog--http://iceandtime.wordpress.com

Project web pages tied to various education portals

Working on digital site form for public

Thanks to: ► 2005-2013 Nuvuk Archaeology crews

► 2003 Punk/Birnirk/Thule Project Crew

► 1995 Pingusugruk/Ukkuqsi crew

► Barrow Arctic Science Consortium

► National Science Foundation (Office of Polar Programs)

► Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations (ECHO)

► North Slope Borough

► UMIAQ

Heritage and Archaeology in Barrow, AlaskaSlide Number 2Barrow: The Top of the WorldMajor sites in the Barrow areaUtqiaġvik/UkkuqsiSlide Number 6Piġniq (Birnirk NHL)Piġniq (Birnirk NHL) 2003Slide Number 9The Nuvuk Site: The Top of the WorldSlide Number 11Slide Number 12Community members are interested in sites, but…Community education about archaeology neededCommunity buy-in on the work to be doneThe Nuvuk Archaeology ProjectCommunity Members are involved in everythingSlide Number 18Slide Number 19Slide Number 20Lab Work OutcomesSlide Number 23Public Outreach Public Outreach Thanks to:Slide Number 27