A new perspective on Late Holocene social interaction in Northwest Alaska: results of a preliminary ceramic sourcing study

This research examines the evidence for prehistoric ceramic exchange networks over the last 2000 years in northwest Alaska through the use of neutron activation analysis of ceramic artifacts. Results from ceramic analysis on eight coastal and inland archaeological sites identified three source macrogroups and three associated subgroups. Clay source diversity and shared source macrogroups between geographically distant sites suggest the use of multiple sources and/or the movement of pots between production locales, mirroring related patterns in pottery stylistic data. Although additional analytical work is needed to fully understand the changing character of clay procurement and ceramic distribution across this time period, this study provides exploratory data on past ceramic production and distribution that hints at changes in exchange and territoriality in northwest Alaska during the late Holocene.

► Study examines evidence for prehistoric ceramic exchange over last 2000 years in northwest Alaska through neutron activation analysis of ceramic artifacts. ► Results identified three ceramic source macrogroups and three associated subgroups. ► Source diversity and shared source macrogroups between geographically distant sites suggest use of multiple sources and/or movement of pots. ► Ceramic data provide new line of evidence for addressing questions about exchange, territoriality and the emergence of complex social organization in the Arctic.