Togiak Archaeological and Paleoecological Project: Exploring Relationships and Ecology at the Old Togiak Village

Summary

The Togiak Archaeological and Paleoecological Project (TAPP) is a collaborative project driven by the Togiak community of southwest Alaska and their interests in documenting past lifeways at the Old Togiak Village. During the summer of 2015 The University of Montana conducted field work at the site using surface and sub-surface mapping to guide a non-invasive core sampling technique across the village, led by Dr. Kristen Barnett (Bates College). Thirty-five core samples were collected from a series of pithouse structures targeting high probability areas such as features and hearths. A range of data was recovered during analysis including lithics, faunal remains, botanical, charcoal, pollen, and a variety of other data allowing for C14 dating, and establishing a long history of village occupations ranging the past 1250 years. This research utilizes results of the analyses along with localized Yup’ik perspectives in order to inform our understanding of the nuanced past at Togiak, promoting an equal and collaborative relationship between the indigenous community and archaeologists. In this research I will explore the importance of cultivating respectful relationships in archaeology, low-impact verses high-impact field techniques, ecological variation, and subsistence practices throughout the past 1250 years at the Old Togiak site.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14899