Archaeological discoveries in central Alaska have unveiled a collection of over 1,000 fish specimens, offering potential insights into the early practice of subsistence fishing among Ice Age North Americans. These findings suggest a more diverse diet and adaptability than previously understood.
The research team, led by archaeologist Ben Potter of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, examined fish remains from six archaeological sites across eastern Beringia (eastern Alaska). Their analysis identified species like salmon, burbot, whitefish, and northern pike, with evidence pointing to harvesting between 13,000 and 11,800 years ago. The study’s findings were recently published in Science Advances.
This discovery is significant because direct evidence of freshwater fishing in this region is typically only a few thousand years old. Evidence for maritime fishing off the continent dates back to roughly 11,800 years ago. As Potter explained, “It’s not hyperbole to say we really know next to nothing about Paleoindian use of freshwater fish.” This research fills a critical gap in understanding ancient subsistence practices.
Analyzing Fish Remains Across Alaskan Sites
The six sites studied along the Tanana River in Central Alaska include Upward Sun River, XBD-318, Broken Mammoth, Mead, Cook, and Hollembaek Hill. The team also compared their findings with assemblages from other nearby sites.
The fish bones underwent a thorough zooarchaeological analysis to determine species. Researchers carefully examined and compared anatomical features, measurements, and physical characteristics. A biomolecular analysis, using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes in the fish collagen, was also conducted. Additionally, DNA was extracted from 16 specimens to confirm species identification.
Fishing’s Role in Paleoindian Diets
While hunting and fishing have long histories in the Americas, this study offers new insights into the role of fishing during the Ice Age. The findings from Alaska align with other archaeological discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of early human activity on the continent. These include 15,700-year-old stone projectiles in Idaho and evidence suggesting that women played a significant role in hunting within some South American hunter-gatherer groups.
While fishing may not have been the primary food source for these Ice Age groups, it likely played a crucial supplementary role. Potter estimates that fish comprised about 10% of their diet.
Adapting to a Changing Climate
The researchers suggest that the inclusion of fish in the Paleoindian diet might have been a response to the changing climate and environment as the Pleistocene epoch transitioned to the warmer Holocene. The diversification of food sources, including seasonal fish, could have been a critical survival strategy as the last Ice Age ended.
Further Research into Ice Age Subsistence
Further research is needed to fully understand the significance of seasonal fish in the diets of Paleo-Americans in Beringia. This discovery opens up new avenues for exploring the complex relationship between early humans and their environment during a period of significant change.
More: Neanderthals Enjoyed Seafood, Too, New Evidence Suggests
