This research project will be carried out by and interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, physical anthropologists, geomorphologists, and community members. The research team will excavate the Nuvuk cememtary at Barrow, Alaska and analyze the physical remains, in order to explore the relationships between the ancient inhabitants of the Arctic region,the Thule Culture, and contemporary populations. This project is a model of community collaboration, both in the research itself, through the participation of local high school students in the excavation and data analyses, as well as the interenest and support of the community of Barrow for DNA and metromorphic analyses of the ancient remains. In addition, this research is urgent because the cemetary is at risk of totally eroding with each Fall storm season, threatening the loss of the human remains.
