National Park Service – Research Grant: Amalik Bay Archeological Sites Study in Alaska

The objective of this agreement is to understand the nature of human settlement of the Pacific Coast of Katmai National Park, ca. 8000-4000 years ago through detailed investigation of known archaeological sites currently threatened by a variety of physical and biological forces, and through thorough investigation of how current and historic sea-level change both distorts our understanding of the distribution of coastal cultural resources and actively threatens the preservation of known resources today.
The project includes three separate but related lines of inquiry: 1) limited subsurface investigation of two archaeological site types that date to the Ocean Bay Period (one in Kukak Bay, the other in Amalik Bay); 2) detailed analysis of the cultural residues found in each, including a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of using isotopic analysis of shellfish remains to establish season of occupation, and; 3) a careful assessment of coastal geomorphology to settle disputes about the nature of tectonic uplift and coastal subsidence in different areas of the Pacific Coast of Katmai National Park & Preserve.
The proposed research works towards further refinement of the Archaeological Overview and Assessment for Katmai National Park & Preserve, and will aid in management decisions about coastal cultural resources by establishing site significance, aiding in the interpretation of distinct cultural site types, providing an assessment of how physical ocean processes create a fragmentary cultural record, and enabling the prioritization of future cultural resource management initiatives. This work benefits UAMN¿s mission through research of Alaska and the Circumpolar North that ¿forms the basis for understanding the local as well as the global past, present and future,¿ while providing learning opportunities to students (in the field, the lab and the classroom), and interpretive narratives to the general public.
The partner, in cooperation with the National Park Service will:
1. Participate in pre-field discussions between UAMN and NPS staff to organize survey design and field logistics.
2. Identify and hire appropriate staff, students, and research affiliates.
3. Arrange all field-based aviation contracts, logistics, and safety measures for UAF participants.
4. Insure that staff is up-to-date on wilderness and wildlife safety training.
5. Coordinate 3-4 week field season, including outfitting (gear, food, tools), travel to the AK Peninsula, and preparation of basic planning documents.
6. Conduct requisite post-field data-management (Alaska Heritage Resource Survey [AHRS] cards, NPS Archaeological Sites Management Information System [ASMIS] records, Geographic Information Systems [GIS]-based site maps and geodatabase components, photo-logs, artifact- catalogs, and field-notes).
7. Prepare a post-field summary report for NPS annual reporting requirements.
8. Prepare a detailed report of field methods, results, analyses and interpretations.
9. Prepare (clean, label, package, and catalog) artifacts and samples for storage and future analysis.
10. Return all archaeological materials, maps, field notes, GIS data, artifact catalogs, and photos to NPS for archiving.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT -Substantial Involvement :

1. Participate in pre-field discussions between UAMN and NPS staff to organize survey design and field logistics.
2. Coordinate NPS permitting process.
3. Coordinate radiocarbon contract, and subsequent sample processing with vendor.
4. Provide field gear, including Zodiac raft, motor, and fuel, and marine safety equipment.
5. Provide for safety check-ins with King Salmon dispatch or Denali Dispatch.
6. Provide oversight of field program (will fly in through King Salmon, with requisite field equipment).
7. Ensure that project follows field safety protocols and coordinate project logistics with the King Salmon HQ.
8. Coordinate curation of archaeological materials, maps, photos, and field notes.
9. Review AHRS and ASMIS records before submission.

SINGLE-SOURCE JUSTIFICATION: Department of the Interior Policy (505 DM 2) requires a written justification which explains why competition is not practicable for each single-source award . The National Park Service did not solicit full and open competition for this award based the following criteria: Unique Qualifications.

UAMN provides a unique service of using a work force of experienced archeology graduate students who work out of an institution that contains comparative archeological collections from throughout Alaska and the Arctic region for use in analyzing archeological materials recovered in current operations. In addition UAMN contains paleontological and zoological collections that enable efficient identification of faunal remains important for understanding paleoecological adaptations. UAMN has provided excellent archeological crews in the past for both conducting field work, processing and analyzing samples and artifact collections and writing and publishing final project reports. The UAMN workers are able to work numerous projects each season and thus have gained experience throughout Alaska without the need of specific training, orientation or acclimatization. Through working with the UAMN KATM gains experienced, qualified archeological project leader and crews in a timely basis for only as long as needed to complete project work. No other institution in Alaska combines graduate archeological students who work in the context of a highly accredited museum with resource collections from Alaska. Other CESU in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and East Coast require significant travel expenses to place crews in Alaska and archeological crews from other areas require time to gain the experience and acclimatization to effectively work in Alaska.

Technical contact information: Dale Vinson, dale_vinson@nps.gov, 907-644-3632, National Park Service, Alaska Region,
End of FOA