Instrument Neutron Activation Analysis Data for Cape Espenberg Archaeological Ceramics 2011-2018

Portland State University (PSU), led by Shelby Anderson, collaborated with several other institutions on a three year (2015-2018) multidisciplinary program of research to explore human interaction, settlement history, climate and landscape dynamics in relation to the Birnirk archaeological complex of northern Alaska, ca. AD 1000 (Figure 1). This is the second of two collaborative projects at the Cape, the first conducted from 2009-2011). The Cape Espenberg site complex is comprised of multiple components spanning ca. 4,500 BP to recent (Alix et al. 2018)(Figure 1). After a period of hiatus, the Birnirk site (KTZ-304) at Cape Espenberg was occupied at a pivotal cultural and environmental moment in Northwest Alaska and the larger Bering Sea region, just before 950 BP and prior to the emergence of Iñupiaq culture around 650 BP. Cape Espenberg is a key location for this cultural history both because of the presence of Ipiutak, Birnirk and Thule archaeological sites and as ancestral land of today’s Kigiqtaamiut of Shishmaref. The major goals of the project were to use interrelated and integrated analytical approaches involving cultural and physical anthropology, archaeology and paleoecology to: 1) form the framework for continued excavation at site KTZ-304; 2) contribute to study architectural features, archaeofauna, ceramics, and artifacts in order to elucidate social networks, subsistence systems and technology, and to understand the impact of climate and resource availability on peoples activities, decisions and movements; 3) guide the collecting of paleoenvironmental data through targeted sampling of swales and ridges to date dune ridge stabilization, reconstruct terrestrial vegetation and map the location of the ocean relative to the site; 4) integrate ancient DNA (aDNA) studies to establish the broader genetic relationships of Inuit societies in the region and beyond; 5) explore how Kigiqtaamiut interpret material culture to understand the past, narrate history and generate knowledge; 6) foster a dialog on the role of material culture today in the community of Shishmaref and in between the Kigiqtaamiut and the scientists to construct more reflexive interpretations of the past, and thus; 7) advance understanding of the origin of Inupiaq culture through the development of a high-resolution chronology of settlement and landscape formation, cultural shift and climate variation. PSU was responsible for research on ceramic materials recovered from the excavation and for coordinating lipid and isotope analyses of ceramics and sediments as part of project research on diet, food processing, and fuel use. The goals of ceramic technological analysis were to address questions about Birnirk and Ancestral Iñupiaq (Thule) subsistence and technology, with broader implications for interpreting seasonal movements and interaction with other people around region. Ceramic technology was adopted in Alaska as early as 2800-2500 years BP and became prevalent after 1500 BP in the Birnirk (ca. 950 BP) and Thule periods (ca. 650 BP). Pre-1500 BP vessels are thin-walled, mineral tempered, with globular shape; post-1,500 B.P vessels are thick-walled, flower-pot shaped, with flat bottoms and straight walls. Changes in vessel construction and morphology may represent cultural shifts in subsistence and food preparation practices, that could relate to cultural, environmental, and settlement pattern shifts over time.

波特兰州立大学（Portland State University, PSU）由谢尔比·安德森（Shelby Anderson）牵头，联合多家机构开展了一项为期三年（2015-2018年）的多学科研究项目，旨在探索与阿拉斯加北部比尔尼克（Birnirk）考古遗址群相关的人类互动、定居历史、气候与景观动态，研究时间跨度约为公元1000年左右（图1）。本项目是该海角地区两项合作研究中的第二项，第一项的实施时间为2009-2011年。
埃斯彭伯格海角（Cape Espenberg）遗址群包含多个文化堆积层，年代跨度约为距今4500年至近现代（Alix等，2018）（图1）。经过一段研究间歇期后，埃斯彭伯格海角的比尔尼克遗址（KTZ-304）在阿拉斯加西北部及更广范围白令海地区的关键文化与环境节点被占据，时间恰逢距今约950年，且早于距今约650年因纽皮雅特（Iñupiaq）文化的兴起。埃斯彭伯格海角之所以是该文化史研究的关键区位，一方面在于这里留存有伊皮亚塔克（Ipiutak）、比尔尼克与图勒（Thule）考古遗址，另一方面它也是现今希什马雷夫（Shishmaref）的基吉克塔米乌特（Kigiqtaamiut）原住民的祖居地。
本项目的核心研究目标是采用相互关联、整合统一的分析方法，涵盖文化人类学、体质人类学、考古学与古生态学，具体包括：1）为KTZ-304遗址的后续发掘搭建系统性研究框架；2）对建筑遗迹、考古动物群、陶瓷器及人工制品开展专项研究，以阐明区域社会网络、生计模式与技术水平，并解析气候与资源可获得性对人类活动、决策与迁徙行为的影响；3）通过针对性采集洼地与脊地的沉积物样本，获取古环境数据，以测定沙丘脊的稳定年代、重建陆地植被群落，并绘制遗址周边海洋的相对位置地图；4）整合古DNA（ancient DNA, aDNA）研究，明确该区域乃至更广范围因纽特社会的宏观遗传亲缘关系；5）探究基吉克塔米乌特如何解读物质文化遗存，以此理解过往历史、叙述族群历史并生成相关学术认知；6）推动关于物质文化在当今希什马雷夫社区以及基吉克塔米乌特与科研人员之间的作用的对话，以构建更具反思性的过往历史阐释路径；7）通过建立高分辨率的定居与景观形成、文化变迁以及气候波动的年代序列，深化对因纽皮雅特文化起源的认知。
波特兰州立大学负责对发掘出土的陶瓷器开展技术分析，并统筹陶瓷器与沉积物的脂质分析与同位素分析，以此探究古代人类的饮食结构、食物加工方式与燃料使用情况。陶瓷技术分析的核心目标是解答比尔尼克文化与先祖因纽皮雅特（图勒文化）的生计与技术相关问题，其研究结果可进一步用于解读区域内的季节性迁徙与人群互动。
陶瓷制作技术早在距今2800-2500年就已在阿拉斯加被采用，并在距今1500年之后的比尔尼克时期（距今约950年）与图勒时期（距今约650年）得到普及。距今1500年之前的陶器器壁较薄，以矿物作为羼和料，器形呈球形；距今1500年之后的陶器器壁较厚，呈花盆形，带有平底与直壁。器物制作工艺与形态的变化，或许代表了生计与食物制备实践中的文化变迁，这可能与彼时的文化、环境以及定居模式的长期演变存在关联。