2019 Field Work

M/V Pŭk-ŭk - research vessel support for the 2019 field season. B. Hornbeck, 2019.

B. Hornbeck led a three-person team including senior research scientist Debra Corbett (Nanutset
Heritage), and University at Buffalo PhD Candidate Ariel Taivalkoski, on an 18 day field session in the Rat Islands group of the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Logistical support was provided by CH2MHILL and the M/V Pŭk-ŭk of Alaska Marine Expeditions through the NSF OPP Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program.

Map depicting location of the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

The team completed archaeological survey and testing at three clusters of earth mounds on Kiska Island and three clusters on Amchitka Island. We extracted nineteen soil columns from earth mounds of various size and shape using a soil probing auger. In addition to the probe tests, the team excavated two shovel test pits and two trench tests.

A. Taivalkoski (left) & D. Corbett record data after extracting a soil column from a small mound. B. Hornbeck, 2019.

B. Hornbeck operated a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone from onboard the M/V Pŭk-ŭk when weather permitted. The drone was used to capture a series of aerial photographs and video footage. The imagery was captured at one cluster of earth mounds on Kiska Island and one cluster of earth mounds on Amchitka Island.

360° aerial photograph captured by the drone on Amchitka Island. B.Hornbeck, 2019.