Exploring Prehistoric Seabird Use in the Bering Sea

Erica HillUniversity of Alaska Southeast

St. Lawrence I

Zooarchaeology of St. Lawrence Island reconstruct prehistoric subsistence

Analysis and identification of animal remains frompreviously excavated sites

Taxa in SLI faunal assemblages

• Walrus• Phoca spp. (seals)• Bearded seal• Polar bear• Canids• Seabirds (Alcidae)• Fish (probably ground fish)• Sea urchin

Why Seabirds?

• Seabirds arrive in the spring bridge resource• Many seabirds and eggs can be harvested with minimal risk and skill

• Seabirds and eggs are predictable resources

• Seabirds and eggs are clumped resources

Alcidae (web-footed diving birds)

• Puffins• Murres and Murrelets

• Auks and Auklets

• Guillemots

Alcidae (web-footed diving birds)

• Usually associated with northern latitudes• Marine• Wing-propelled pursuit divers• Colonial nesters

Bird bolas

Netting auklets, St. Lawrence Island

Harvesting Eggs on the Diomedes

Current workCorrelating:

• seabird colonies• walrus haulouts• human settlements

Conclusions• Breeding site fidelity in seabirds• Humans locating sites near

colonies• Seabirds and their eggs were critical bridge resources