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Robert L. Harness Lecture Series
July 10, 2018 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
“Arctic Hearths: Ancient Alaskan Firewood Selection” – Laura Crawford
In the unforgiving climate of the Far North, access to adequate fuel was as crucial to survival as was the availability of food and water. Fuel sources such as bone, blubber and wood provided light and heat throughout long, cold, and dark winters. Fuel was also necessary for routine domestic tasks like firing pottery or smoking meat. Because fuel was such a critical resource it is important to understand how ancient Alaskans chose what fuels to burn. In the case of firewood, it seems likely that ancient Alaskans purposefully selected certain types of woody shrubs and trees for specific tasks, much like modern and historic indigenous Alaskans. To test this selectivity hypothesis this study examines nearly 3,000 charcoal specimens from three archeological sites: Hungry Fox, Gerstle River, and Walakpa. Results indicate that firewood selectivity was guided primarily by three variables: proximity, handling costs, and combustion properties.
For more information, please call the park at 740-774-1126. For a complete list of lectures please visit https://www.nps.gov/hocu/planyourvisit/summer-lecture-series.htm