Activities and Findings (Major Research Activities) |
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From late July to mid August 2000, IKIP project archaeologists and geologists surveyed a total of 13 locations on 11 Kuril Islands from the north to the south-central parts of the chain (the islands of Shumshu, Paramushir, Onekotan, Kharimkotan, Shiashkotan, Raikoke, Matua, Ushishir, Simushir, Chirpoi, and Urup). Archaeological aspects of this research were approached by searching for new and previously known archaeological sites, mapping and photographing surface features (house depressions, artifact scatters, and landscape characteristics), investigating exposed stratigraphic profiles, and conducting test excavations in areas of structural remains and deposits of discarded bone/shell refuse. When possible faunal remains (bone and shell) and artifacts (stone tools, flakes, bone tools, and ceramic fragments) were collected for their ability to provide direct evidence of human activities and paleo-biogeography. Also targeted were samples of charcoal (for radiocarbon dating and species identification) and sediment (for correlation with dated volcanic ash falls and analysis of pollen and macrofossils). Geological aspects of this research included: 1) mapping and sampling exposures for studies of sedimentation history with particular emphasis on pyroclastic deposits (tephras, pumice, scoria); 2) geomorphological analysis of volcanic and marine features (cones, calderas, lava flow, pyroclastic flow, marine cut cliffs, raised beaches and terraces); and 3) sampling of dune and beach deposits for evidence of naturally occurring rock varieties. Archaeological collections of stone tool production debris were also collected for the evidence they bring to bear on both archaeological and geological questions (e.g., technological production methods and raw material procurement, migration and trade). Following the Kuril cruise, American IKIP archaeologists had the unexpected opportunity to spend two additional weeks investigating archaeological sites around southern Sakhalin Island. This provided participants with an excellent chance to develop a comparative perspective on the archaeology of the Kuril Islands and to become better acquainted with the prehistory of the western rim of the Sea of Okhotsk. We tested a total of five sites ranging in age from the early Neolithic (ca 4000 BC) to Sakhalin Ainu (ca 1700 BP) periods. Our primary goals here included the collection of datable material (charcoal), artifacts, sediment and pollen samples, and especially representative faunal samples that can be compared to those of the Kuril Islands. We were also fortunate to be able to visit two important Paleolithic sites (Sokol and Takoe) that have featured prominently in interpretations of the prehistory of the late Pleistocene (ca. 25000 - 12000 BP) and evaluate their geoarchaelogical site contexts.
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