In Alaska, researchers found the earliest evidence that ancient North America humans used salmon as a source of food. These findings counter the belief that ice age Paleoindians were hunters of big game.  These assertions were mainly based on the analysis of a chum salmon that was 11,500 years old. Ben Potter, an anthropologist in the University of Alaska Fairbanks (University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015), found the chum salmon. After the site had been excavated, human dwellings, human remains, tools and salmon bones were found.

Fishing of salmon has deep roots, and it has now been revealed that human beings consumed the salmon 11,500 years ago. The findings also reveals that the salmon spawn runs had been build much further north and earlier than previously thought. After analysis of stable isotope and primordial DNA, it was verified that the fish remains were of sea-rum chum that migrated upriver for some 1400 kilometers from the mouth of Yukon River. This analysis suggests that the modern migrations of salmon have ancient roots.

According to Potter, there are cases where the salmon become landlocked and acquire different isotopic signatures as compared to the marine salmon (University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015). Combining the isotopic and genetics analysis enabled researchers to identify the remains as chum salmon, which have inhabited the area today and established their life histories. The two features according to Potter are important in understanding how human beings used these resources. Archeologists usually have a challenge when analyzing fish remains since their bones are very fragile, small and do not preserve well.

These findings reveal that Beringian diets in the early days were broader than previously thought. Ice Age humans used specialized technologies and complex strategies in obtaining food. Potter added that there was no evidence to oppose the idea that salmon runs were there in the area a few thousand years earlier. This seems to suggest that the fishing of salmon played a big responsibility in the human colonization in North America.

This article applies to Archaeology Anthropology in that it studies ancient remains to try to determine ancient human past. It reveals that ancient human in North America used to eat Salmon. Archeology is the study of ancient human past through studying material remains.  By studying fish remains, archeologists can deduce that ancient humans living in the area used salmon as a source of food. The researchers have used an analysis of fish remains to determine the behavior of humans, which is what archeology, is all about. It uses the ancient remains to determine ancient human behavior and then compare with the present behavior.  To prove a theory in archaeology, one has to assemble diverse evidence and then bring it together to make an informed assessment. This article used isotopic and genetics analysis to prove that the remains were those of Salmon.

The article is consistent with Archaeology Anthropology. It analysis fish remains to determine the evolution of the fish and ancients human diet. It identifies that the modern migrations of salmon started a long time ago and that Salmons have existed from then. North American inhabitants used salmon as a source of food. This finding eradicates the belief that ancient North Americans were Game hunters (University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2015). Their diets were broader than researchers earlier thought were. It is also revealed that ice age humans also had their technologies applied in obtaining food.

 Reference

University of Alaska Fairbanks. (2015, September 21).  Earliest evidence of ancient North American salmon fishing verified. Retrieved September 26, 2015, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150921182109.htm

 
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