Exploring Prehistoric Seabird Use in the Bering Sea
Erica HillUniversity of Alaska Southeast
St. Lawrence I
Zooarchaeology of St. Lawrence Island reconstruct prehistoric subsistence
Analysis and identification of animal remains frompreviously excavated sites
Taxa in SLI faunal assemblages
• Walrus• Phoca spp. (seals)• Bearded seal• Polar bear• Canids• Seabirds (Alcidae)• Fish (probably ground fish)• Sea urchin
Why Seabirds?
• Seabirds arrive in the spring bridge resource• Many seabirds and eggs can be harvested with minimal risk and skill
• Seabirds and eggs are predictable resources
• Seabirds and eggs are clumped resources
Alcidae (web-footed diving birds)
• Puffins• Murres and Murrelets
• Auks and Auklets
• Guillemots
Alcidae (web-footed diving birds)
• Usually associated with northern latitudes• Marine• Wing-propelled pursuit divers• Colonial nesters
Bird bolas
Netting auklets, St. Lawrence Island
Harvesting Eggs on the Diomedes
Current workCorrelating:
• seabird colonies• walrus haulouts• human settlements
Conclusions• Breeding site fidelity in seabirds• Humans locating sites near
colonies• Seabirds and their eggs were critical bridge resources