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Early Human Settlement in Arctic Alaska

Karl-

What a fascinating trip that you have had. I have learned a lot about early human settlement.

As you are getting reading to end your expedition, what were you most surprised about? Was it what you expected?

Happy travels-

Deanna Wheeler

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 10:12

Karl Horeis

Hi Deanna - thanks for the message! Great question.I think I was most surprised by how careful and methodical the archaeologists were. They didn't just start digging, they selected 1-meter square grids aligned north and south, all referenced off a surveyor's station, then removed soil with small trowels one centimeter at a time. They collected specimens in small, labeled bags for only one quadrant of each one-meter square, and only items from specific 10-centimeter depths went into each bag. Often, artifacts or bones would be left in place until they were photographed and "shot in" with the surveyor's station. If a researcher exposed the tip of a tool in the wall of their unit, the didn't grab it and pull it out like I wanted to, they waited until the unit it was in was excavated, which could take days or might not happen for years. Talk about patience!
I think they have learned to be very careful like this after mistakes were made by archaeologists in the past. If the conclusions archaeologists made in the 1930's are called into question because of reckless excavation, then researchers today know they must be very careful. this gives us a clearer picture of the past, based on evidence instead of jumping to conclusions. It just feels right, too, when digging up an 11,500-year old artifact, to be careful and respectful of it. It's a priceless artifact, after all.
Thanks Deanna!