Withering Snow and Ice in the Mid-latitudes: A New Archaeological and Paleobiological Record for the Rocky Mountain Region

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In the mid-latitude mountains of North America, archaeological materials have been identified in association with kinetically stable "ice patches" that attracted animals and their human predators. The stable ice in these features exhibits little internal deformation or movement and can preserve otherwise perishable materials for millennia. Eight prehistoric sites have been identified in association with perennial ice patches within the Greater Yellowstone Area of Montana and Wyoming. Surveys in Colorado have produced paleobiological samples, but no definitive archaeological sites. Archaeological remains include ancient wooden dart shafts and fragments, wooden artifacts of unknown function, a wrapped leather object of unknown function, butchered animal remains, and chipped stone artifacts. Fragments of weapons ranging in age from 200 to 10 400 years suggest long-term continuity in ice patch hunting in the region. Paleobiological specimens range in age from several hundred to nearly 8000 years. Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) is a presumed prey species, but the remains of bison (Bison bison) and other large ungulates also occur. Ice patches offer important insights into the use of high-elevation environments by Native Americans. Efforts are ongoing to build and maintain awareness of these resources among federal land managers and the public.Key words: climate change, ice patches, organic artifacts, dart shaft, foreshaft, bighorn sheep, bison, Rocky Mountains RÉSUMÉ. Dans les montagnes de latitude moyenne de l'Amérique du Nord, du matériel archéologique a été repéré dans des « névés » cinétiquement stables où évoluaient certains animaux de même que leurs prédateurs humains. La glace stable de ces névés présente une déformation ou un mouvement interne minime, ce qui permet de préserver des matériaux périssables pendant des milliers d'années. Huit sites préhistoriques ont été répertoriés dans les névés pérennes de la grande région du Yellowstone se trouvant au Montana et au Wyoming. Au Colorado, des levés ont permis de prélever des échantillons paléo-biologiques, mais aucun site archéologique définitif. Parmi les restes archéologiques retrouvés, notons d'anciennes tiges et d'anciens fragments de propulseurs en bois, des artefacts en bois dont la fonction est inconnue, un objet enveloppé en cuir dont la fonction est inconnue, des restes d'animaux dépecés et des artefacts en pierre taillée. Des fragments d'armes âgés de 200 à 10 400 ans laissent entrevoir que la chasse a été pratiquée dans les névés de la région pendant très longtemps. L'âge des spécimens paléobiologiques varie de plusieurs centaines d'années à près de 8 000 ans. Le mouflon d'Amérique (Ovis canadensis) y est une espèce-proie présumée, et des restes de bisons (Bison bison) et d'autres grands ongulés s'y trouvent également. Les névés permettent de mieux comprendre comment les Autochtones utilisaient les milieux en haute altitude. Les responsables fédéraux de la gestion des terres et le public déploient des efforts constants pour sensibiliser le...

Archaeological Investigations of Alpine Ice Patches in the Selwyn Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada

“…Prompted by the discovery and initial characterization of ice patch archaeological sites in Yukon Territory (Kuzyk et al, 1999;Farnell et al, 2004;Hare et al, 2004), recent work in other alpine regions of North America has expanded the archaeological record of alpine ice patches to include interior Alaska (Dixon et al, 2005;VanderHoek et al, 2007aVanderHoek et al, , b, 2012, the northern Rocky Mountains of the continental United States (Lee, 2012), and, as reported in this paper, the Selwyn Mountains of the Northwest Territories. Parallel efforts in the alpine regions of Norway, where ice patch archaeology has a long history (Farbregd, 2009;Callanan, 2010Callanan, , 2012, and in Switzerland (Grosjean et al, 2007;Hafner, 2012) extend the geographic scope of these studies to a hemispheric scale.…”

Perennial ice and snow‐covered land as important ecosystems for birds and mammals

“…That the use of perennial snow and ice among birds and mammals are likely unknown or underreported in many cases seems evident from the diverse collections of animal remains melting out of such areas during especially warm summers. Remains of species such as moose ( Alces alces ), snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus ), wolf ( Canis lupus ) and several species of rodents, of which I have as yet found no reported behaviours associated with the use of perennial ice, have melted out during recent years (Farnell et al ., ; Andrews et al ., ; Hare et al ., ; Lee, ). There are even several reports of remains of species not normally associated with cold glacierized landscapes, such as African wild dogs ( Lycaon pictus ) and leopards ( Panthera pardus ), melting out of glaciers on Kilimanjaro and Mt.…”

“…Because of the predictable congregation of animals on snow patches during summer, these areas have been favoured hunting grounds for humans for thousands of years (Farnell et al ., ; Callanan, ; Hare et al ., ; Lee, ), and still are in some areas. Although it has, to my knowledge, not yet been reported, such areas may potentially provide good hunting grounds for alpine predators like wolverines ( Gulo gulo ) or golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) as well.…”

Further Details on Holocene Treeline, Glacier/Ice Patch and Climate History in Swedish Lapland

“…Recent glacier/ice patch recession in association with post-Little Ice Age climate recovery of the past 100 years or so has exposed a plethora of previously ice-entombedmega fossil tree remains in many parts of the world (Nicolussi & Lee 2012). These ancient remnants derive from subglacial preservation sites and are currently exposed at the margin of basins presently occupied by glacier ice and perennial snow.…”