Human and Environmental Dynamics at Cape Krusenstern National Monument
Project ID: J8W07070032
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2007
Initial Funding: $204,532
Total Funding: $608,656
Project Type: Research
Project Disciplines: Interdisciplinary
National Park: Cape Krusenstern National Monument
Principal Investigator: Fitzhugh, Ben
Agreement Technical Representative: Devinney, Eileen
Abstract: The National Park Service and the University of Washington are initiating a collaborative interdisciplinary research project at Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR) in Northwest Alaska to address selected long-standing research questions about human and environmental interactions. This collaborative project will incorporate palynological and geomorphologic research with archaeological survey and testing of the beach ridge complex. The project objectives are: 1) To re-evaluate the chronology and culture history of CAKR established by Giddings and Anderson (1986) based on new data gathered by project participants, 2) to identify patterns of dynamic human and environmental interactions at CAKR that address questions of past and present human-environmental interactions across the circumpolar zone, 3) to study technological change over the 4,000 years of prehistory represented at CAKR and to investigate how, if at all, this change is related to environmental dynamics, 4) to refine understanding of local beach ridge formation and erosion history as it relates to past human use of the beach ridges and to archaeological site preservation and vulnerability, 5) to refine understanding of past climate and vegetation history through higher resolution palynological analyses, 6) to collect site location, condition, and other information needed to better inform future cultural resource management decisions and to facilitate future research at CAKR, 7) to involve the Kotzebue community in the project through community presentations, volunteer participation in fieldwork, and publication of educational materials and pamphlets.
Deliverables: