Sedna Creek: Report On an Archaeological Survey On the Arctic Slope of the Brooks Range

摘要: During the summer of 1964, a field party from Wichita State University conducted survey in vicinity May Lake, 50 air mi. northwest Anaktuvuk Pass. A large number heavily patinated artifacts was discovered on and beneath present ground surface flood plain small stream not registered U.S. Geological Survey maps named Sedna Creek. The artifact assemblage consists flakes flake tools, all which belong to one single tradition. comparison with Far North assemblages indicates that Creek is fourth site British Mountain complex. Of Old World sites, Ust-Kanskaia, Tuin-Gol, Mal'ta-Buret complex, Sannyi Mys, Chastinskaya appear closely related. DURING 1964 author graduate assistant spent first season archaeological work Arctic slope Brooks Range surveying area located treeless tundra between Okokmilaga Ayiyak rivers, Pass 125 southwest mouth Colville River. lies location undisturbed by Wisconsin glaciation. It resembles bowl approximately 10 wide east west, shallow Lake lying center its western portion. surrounded Canoe Hills north, Fortress (4870 ft.) south, Horseshoe east, long slopes leading towards Pediment forming edge. cuts through bowl's eastern perimeter before joining last four weeks concentrated an investigation creek, running along edge bowl, subsequently (for brief description finds low limestone ridges around see Schlesier 1964). derives permafrost about 4 merges 1 west lake, empties into River 15 north. This stream, only 12 ft. wide, meanders ranges 200 400 yd. width. nearly doubles size after every rain or snowfall continuously cutting itself new bed. From directly out creekbed, gravel banks, exposed gravels older creekbeds, numerous test pits 405 were collected. Most either yielded no material had be abandoned encountered, usually 11/2 2 below sod surface. Where found pits, results frost action made attempts establish reliable stratigraphy impossible. vertical movement particles phenomenon well known archaeologists. experiments Corte (1963: 499-501) have shown smaller objects move downward, larger ones upward. For archaeology this process means can obtained layers above permafrost. Unfortunately, therefore, must treated as finds, situation too familiar archaeologists creates major obstacle investigation. About 7 creekbed investigated. fact occurred throughout implies sites do exist Creek, but they sought upper portion plain. In shortage man-power, extended spells bad weather, lack time rendered it impossible locate those sites. No organic excavated would allowed radiocarbon analysis. On segment mammoth tusk protruding bank excavated, association. Remains two circular shootingpits higher reflect occupation caribou-hunting Nunamiut Eskimos, whose descendants are today village stone used for manufacture chert pebbles occur abundance Almost retain parts original pebble With very