03-04-2011
Ice Age Child
Ice Age Child – Archaeologists have discovered remains of an Ice age child in Alaska, saying it dwelt for about 11,500 years ago.
The cremated child skeleton about three years old, along with other remains, was found in northern North America, a site near the Tanana River in central Alaska.
The researchers considered it the second youngest ice age child on the continent, and the oldest remnant found in Northern America.
Based on the preliminary findings of UAF bioarchaeologist Joel Irish, “the remains had traits of North Americans and Northeast Asians.”
The team also found that the human remains were placed in the upmost part of the pit, atop the animal remains. It was a pit constructed within a house used for cooking, and a means of disposing trash and food debris.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks said the skeletal fragments and teeth in an excavated archaeological site may provide unique details into the traditions of Ice Age peoples.
They hypothesized that a small group of people were dwelling in the area while fishing and hunting for food. Their evidence suggested that dwellers may have deserted the site after the cremation and burial.
The child was given a name, Xaasaa Cheege Ts’eniin or “Upward Sun River Mouth Child” as suggested by local natives and the researchers.
The team worked in coordination with the Healy Lake Tribe’s native leaders and its community members.
Relative to the discovery, First Chief Joann Polston of Healy Lake Traditional Council said, “I would like to learn everything we can about this individual.”
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Tags: cremated child skeleton, ice age child, ice age peoples, upward sun river
