Beyond Promontory-Apachean Origins Today

• Main Author: Ives, John
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: University of Alberta Library 2018
• Subjects: First Nations; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.7939/r3-ka09-r635; https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/6f479dd2-d3e4-492d-8ecf-ea8369d68ae9

SSHRC IG awarded 2019: The research we propose builds upon work completed under SSHRC IG 435-2012-0140, Apachean Origins: New Explorations of the Canadian Heritage of A.D. 13th Century Dene at Promontory Point, Utah. That work focused on the astonishing array of perishable artifacts excavated in 1930-31 by Julian Steward, involving hundreds of moccasins and other artifacts he suspected of reflecting a migrating Proto-Apachean population atypical of the Great Basin. We investigated archaeological assemblages with an uncanny resemblance to a Proto-Apachean search image predicted by independent, interdisciplinary sources of information (Ives in prep.) To draw this work to a comprehensive conclusion, we would like to explore the basis for the bison hunting success that Promontory Culture people enjoyed, to make detailed assessments of variability in moccasins so that we can grasp enskillment strategies in ethnogenetic circumstances, and to develop genetic evidence for the identity of the cave inhabitants. In seeking additional funding, we plan to: 1) Apply isotopic, palaeoenvironmental and geomatic methods to investigate the nature of bisonhunting in a Great Basin region peripheral to bison range, where subsistence practices werenormally dominated by plant and small game harvesting. 2) Explore variability in the more than 300 Promontory moccasins available for research in much greater detail, from an ethnoarchaeological perspective informed by First Nations experts. 3) Expand our research to Wyoming and Colorado collections where other examples of Subarctic moccasin styles are present, along the Apachean migration pathway. 4) Provide a definitive answer as to whether traces of ancient human DNA that would be diagnostic of a migrating Apachean population can be detected on moccasins and cordage. 5) Create research contexts and knowledge mobilization strategies bringing indigenous traditionalists into contact with this remarkable material culture, providing visual and workshop access to the extraordinary artifacts from Promontory caves.