Sea level dynamics, glaciers, and archaeology along the central Gulf of Alaska coast
Crowell AL and Mann DH. 1996. Sea level dynamics, glaciers, and archaeology along the central Gulf of Alaska coast. Arctic Anthropology. 33(2):16-37
Because of their impacts on the preservation of archaeological records, Holocene sea level fluctuations and glacial activity have significant implications for modeling the paleodemography of prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations around the Gulf of Alaska. Interdisciplinary field studies relating archaeological site preservation to sea level changes and glacier fluctuations were undertaken in Kenai Fjords National Park and Katmai National Park in 1993—94. Radiocarbon dates and elevations above sea level for 19 new and reinvestigated archaeological sites are combined in our analysis with data reported by other investigators. Tectonic subsidence associated with a large magnitude earthquake in about AD 1170 appears to be responsible for the near absence of sites older than 800 years in Kenai Fjords National Park. In contrast, long-term uplift has allowed preservation of a continuous 7000 year archaeological sequence along the coastline of Katmai National Park. These results point out the need for detailed local studies of sea level history and glacial activity in conjunction with coastal archaeology cal surveys.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Crowell, Aron; Mann, Daniel
- Units
- KATM , SWAN
- Keywords
- Anthropology, Arctic, coastal archaeology, Coastal-Marine Systems, glacial activity, Glaciers, Gulf Of Alaska, IAR, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Sea Level, Sea Level Dynamics