Identification of Ancient Feather Fragments Found in Melting Alpine Ice Patches in Southern Yukon

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Twelve ancient artifacts or fragmented feather samples recovered from melting alpine ice patches in southern Yukon were analyzed in order to identify the species of birds associated with the ice patches or used on weapons recovered from these sites. The identification of bird species used by ancient hunters as long ago as 4500 BP enhances our insight into the customs, culture, and sophistication of life at that time. Downy feather barbs were found on two samples and microscopically identified as duck (Anatidae) and falcon (Falconidae). Further examination and comparisons using museum specimens resulted in a total of six identifications: Anatidae, eagle (Aquila or Haliaeetus), gyrfalcon {Falco rusticolus), white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus), short-eared owl {Asia flammeus), and northern flicker (Colaptes auratus luteus). Three of the feather samples were complete enough to show apparent modification, or notching, along the feather shaft. The identification of non-game birds such as gyrfalcon and eagles, together with evidence of possible worked or notched feathers, indicates that as long as 4500 years ago. Subarctic hunters selected feathers not only for their utility in fletching, but also possibly for symbolic or decorative purposes.Key words: Yukon ice patches, feather identification, archaeological artifacts, radiocarbon dates RESUME. On a analysé 12 anciens artefacts ou échantillons de fragments de plumes découverts dans le sud du Yukon lors de la fonte de plaques de glace alpine, afin d'identifier les espèces aviaires associées à ces plaques de glace ou utilisées sur les armes provenant de ces sites. L'identification des espèces aviaires utilisées par les anciens chasseurs à une époque aussi reculée que 4500 BP nous permet de mieux comprendre les coutumes, la culture et le degré de sophistication de la vie à cette époque. On a trouvé des barbes duveteuses sur deux échantillons et l'analyse au microscope a révélé qu' elles appartenaient à un canard (anatidé) et à un faucon (falconidé). Un examen plus poussé et des comparaisons avec des spécimens présents dans des musées ont permis d'établir six provenances: anatidé, aigle {Aquila ou Haliaeetus), faucon gerfaut {Falco rusticolus), lagopède à queue blanche {Lagopus leucurus), hibou des marais {Asio flammeus) et pic flamboyant {Colaptes auratus luteus). Trois des échantillons de plumes étaient assez complets pour révéler des modifications apparentes ou encoches, le long de la tige de la plume. L'identification d'oiseaux non cynégétiques tels que le faucon gerfaut et les aigles, combinée avec la découverte de plumes encochées ou éventuellement travaillées, révèle qu'il y a 4500 ans, les chasseurs subarctiques sélectionnaient déjà les plumes non seulement dans un but utilitaire pour en faire des empennes de flèches, mais peut-être aussi à des fins symboliques ou d'ornementation.

New Aspects of High-Mountain Palaeobiogeography: A Synthesis of Data from Forefields of Receding Glaciers and Ice Patches in the Tärna and Kebnekaise Mountains, Swedish Lapland

“…In many parts of the world, recent glacier recession has opened an entirely new window on the palaeoecology, vegetation history, and archaeology of sites at high elevations (Dyurgerov and Meier, 2000;Farnell et al, 2004;Dove et al, 2005;Nesje, 2009;Menounos et al, 2009;Nesje et al, 2011;Andrews and MacKay, 2012;Callanan, 2012). In forefields of mountain glaciers and perennial snow and ice patches, in most cases quite close to the tree line, exposure of megafossil tree remnants of different species spanning major parts of the Holocene is quite common (e.g., Nicolussi and Patzelt, 2000;Hormes et al, 2001;Schlüchter and Jörin, 2004;Koch et al, 2007;Benedict et al, 2008;Joerin et al, 2008;Wiles et al, 2008;Scapozza et al, 2010;Koehler and Smith, 2011;Nicolussi and Schlüchter, 2012).…”

Low fossilization potential of keratin protein revealed by experimental taphonomy

“…; Dove et al . ). Studies have claimed to have found evidence of intact keratin based on immunohistochemistry experiments (Schweitzer et al .…”

A Thousand Years of Lost Hunting Arrows: Wood Analysis of Ice Patch Remains in Northwestern Canada

“…They provide evidence of continuity of technical knowledge over at least 300 years of Athapaskan traditions. The feathers, however, could not be identified (Dove et al, 2005).…”

“…The split feathers of the 440 radiocarbon-yearold arrow shaft JbVa-1:1 (Fig. 2g) were identified as eagle feathers (Dove et al, 2005), indicating the antiquity of technological traditions transmitted orally and reported on by early ethnographers and present-day oral history.…”

“…Indeed, the point is often the only element of these composite weapons to be left in archaeological sites. As a result of this lack of preservation, archaeologists often forget that wood mattered in the making of the arrow and that not just any feathers were used (e.g., Dove et al, 2005;Andrews et al, 2012a). Moreover, wood, although mostly seen as used for the shaft, was often a legitimate material for the foreshaft or even the end point of an arrow, or both (Waguespack et al, 2009).…”