Posters by Kelsey Noack Myers
Developed for educational outreach programming for ages K-8, for the William R. Adams Zooarchaeol... more Developed for educational outreach programming for ages K-8, for the William R. Adams Zooarchaeology Laboratory at Indiana University Bloomington. This poster addresses the following basic terms: skull, cranium, mandible, humerus, radius, ulna, and locomotion.
The archaeological remains of forts, outposts, settlements, extraction sites, and other activity ... more The archaeological remains of forts, outposts, settlements, extraction sites, and other activity areas established during European colonial ventures in North America span several hundred years and thousands of kilometers. The intricacies and interconnectedness of these sites are not easy to quantify or describe within the traditional limits of archaeological data management. The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) can reveal colonial sites and their neighborhoods of effect on a multiscalar basis of regions defined by research designs. The ontological bridging vocabularies of DINAA also permit consideration of relationships of sites from colonial contexts across spatiotemporal divides, cultural categories, and active behaviors. The characteristics of the French-American and Algonquian sphere of interaction in and around Fort Ouiatenon (1717-1791), Indiana, are used as as an example against which to compare and contrast the data representation of colonial archaeological sites in eastern North America. DINAA is constructed on a model of linked open data (LOD) which facilitates the connection of numerous data sets across a variety of networked systems; the rich-yet-incomplete record of Fort Ouiatenon helps to suggest what forms of data may be most useful for larger research collaborations into colonial archaeology.
The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) currently contains primary data from ov... more The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) currently contains primary data from over 340,000 archaeological sites in 15 states in eastern North America. Two cases are used to explore the new research and management opportunities that are created by using DINAA in combination with other sources of data. First, the potential power of using DINAA as a “bridge” between specialized, independent datasets is considered using information compiled by the Eastern Woodlands Household Archaeology Data Project. Second, DINAA site data are combined with environmental data to model the effects of anticipated changes in sea level due to global climate change on cultural resources near the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. DINAA data were compiled in cooperation with State Historic Preservation Offices in our partner states to demonstrate the feasibility and research value of interoperating state-maintained site databases into a single, large-scale, freely-available archaeological dataset that protects sensitive site location information.
Papers by Kelsey Noack Myers
Integrating data from different sources represents a tremendous research opportunity across the h... more Integrating data from different sources represents a tremendous research opportunity across the humanities, social, and natural sciences. However, repurposing data for uses not imagined or anticipated by their creators involves conceptual, methodological, and theoretical challenges. These are acute in archaeology, a discipline that straddles the humanities and sciences. Heritage protection laws shape archaeological practice and generate large bodies of data, largely untapped for research or other purposes. The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) project adapts heritage management data sets for broader open and public uses. DINAA’s initial goal is to integrate government-curated public data from off-line and online digital repositories, from up to twenty US states, and which qualitatively and quantitatively describe over 500,000 archaeological sites in eastern North America. DINAA hopes to promote extension and reuse by government personnel, as well as by domestic and international researchers interested in the cultures, histories, artifacts, and behaviors described within these public data sets. DINAA innovatively applies methodologies and workflows typical of many ‘open science’ and digital humanities programs to these data sets. The distributed nature of data production, coupled with protections for sensitive data, add layers of complexity. Ethically negotiating these issues can wider the collaboration between stakeholder communities, and offer an unprecedented new view on human use of the North American landscape across vast regions and time scales.
Advances in Archaeological Practice, 2015
ABSTRACT For the first time in North American archaeology, absorbed residue analysis was conducte... more ABSTRACT For the first time in North American archaeology, absorbed residue analysis was conducted on multiple samples from the same vessel, a complete Mississippi Plain jar from Angel Mounds (12Vg1). This approach provided comprehensive, residue-based interpretations of the form and function of a single pot. The Mississippi Plain jar was recovered from a burnt house floor along with the broken remains of a similar vessel and burnt maize. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of absorbed lipid residues were performed on four different parts of this vessel to determine its contents and function. Comparison of absorbed residues from the pot and soil lipids was used to determine whether the pot was buried with contents intact. The results indicate that this vessel was used to cook a mixture of riverine (lean fish or shellfish) and plant resources, probably including maize. Diterpenoid biomarkers were also present, suggesting that conifer resin was used either to seal the pot or as a flavoring. The jar, though deposited whole, was probably not buried with contents intact. Spanish Por primera vez en la arqueología de América del Norte, se tomaron múltiples muestras de una misma vasija para su análisis por absorción de residuos, una olla completa de Angel Mounds (12Vg1). Esta estrategia ha permitido realizar interpretaciones exhaustivas basadas en los residuos en torno a la forma y función de una sola olla. La olla “Mississippi Plain” se encontró sobre el piso quemado de una casa, junto a los restos de una olla parecida y de maíz quemado. El análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo de los análisis de absorción de residuos grasos se realizó en cuatro partes distintas de la olla para determinar sus contenidos y su función. La comparación del análisis de residuos de la olla con los lípidos del suelo se utilizaron para determinar si la vasija había sido enterrada con el contenido intacto. Los resultados indican que esta vasija se utilizó para cocinar una mezcla de recursos acuáticos (pescado magro o crustáceos) y de vegetación riparia, incluyendo posiblemente maíz. Los biomarcadores diterpenoides también estuvieron presentes, lo que sugiere que la resina extraída de coníferas se uso para impermeabilizar la olla o bien como condimento. La olla, aunque se depositó completa, probablemente no fue enterrada con el contenido intacto.
Integrating data from different sources represents a tremendous research opportunity across the h... more Integrating data from different sources represents a tremendous research opportunity across the humanities, social, and natural sciences. However, repurposing data for uses not imagined or anticipated by their creators involves conceptual, methodological, and theoretical challenges. These are acute in archaeology, a discipline that straddles the humanities and sciences. Heritage protection laws shape archaeological practice and generate large bodies of data, largely untapped for research or other purposes. The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) project adapts heritage management data sets for broader open and
public uses. DINAA’s initial goal is to integrate government-curated public data from off-line and online digital repositories, from up to twenty US states, and which qualitatively and quantitatively describe over 500,000 archaeological sites
in eastern North America. DINAA hopes to promote extension and reuse by government personnel, as well as by domestic and international researchers interested in the cultures, histories, artifacts, and behaviors described within these public data
sets. DINAA innovatively applies methodologies and workflows typical of many ‘open science’ and digital humanities programs to these data sets. The distributed nature of data production, coupled with protections for sensitive data, add layers of complexity. Ethically negotiating these issues can wider the collaboration between stakeholder communities, and offer an unprecedented new view on human use of the North American landscape across vast regions and time scales.
Conference Presentations by Kelsey Noack Myers
What is tribal consultation, and why should it take place? This paper reviews both case studies w... more What is tribal consultation, and why should it take place? This paper reviews both case studies with negative outcomes as well as best practices in Tribal Consultation. In the quarter of a century since the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was enacted, attempts to involve descendant Native communities in research on and interpretation of archaeological resources have been met with limited success. Blurred lines delineating ancestral lands and migration routes across modern state boundaries, historical political alliances, and dynamic cultural identities often cause confusion and a defeatist attitude in approaching and working with Native tribes and organizations. Current federal policy often seeks enforce consultation requirements, but disparate institutional priorities and goals often result in the burden being placed on the understaffed and underfunded Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) that represent each tribe. Many tribes are now becoming more assertive about having a place at the table in the consultation process, but are still met with resistance, often due to poor planning wherein no portion of a project budget or timeline is allocated to consultation.
Home to the Chippewa (Ojibwa) and Cree (Nei-yahw) tribe, Rocky Boy’s Reservation is the smallest ... more Home to the Chippewa (Ojibwa) and Cree (Nei-yahw) tribe, Rocky Boy’s Reservation is the smallest and youngest of the Montana Indian Reservations. The Cultural Resources Preservation Department houses the Tribal Historic Preservation Office and provides a multitude of services to the reservation community related to cultural research, education, and events. The CRPD is also able to provide employment opportunities for elders, working-age adults, and student interns while documenting cultural resources on reservation and maintaining government-to-government relationships to preserve resources on ancestral homelands off-reservation.
Presentation Abstracts by Kelsey Noack Myers
The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) currently contains primary data from over... more The Digital Index of North American Archaeology (DINAA) currently contains primary data from over 340,000 archaeological sites in 15 states in eastern North America. Two cases are used to explore the new research and management opportunities that are created by using DINAA in combination with other sources of data. First, the potential power of using DINAA as a “bridge” between specialized, independent datasets is considered using information compiled by the Eastern Woodlands Household Archaeology Data Project. Second, DINAA site data are combined with environmental data to model the effects of anticipated changes in sea level due to global climate change on cultural resources near the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. DINAA data were compiled in cooperation with State Historic Preservation Offices in our partner states to demonstrate the feasibility and research value of interoperating state-maintained site databases into a single, large-scale, freely-available archaeological dataset that protects sensitive site location information.
Talks by Kelsey Noack Myers
One episode of Peoria Public Library's weekly television program, "Information Please," filmed in... more One episode of Peoria Public Library's weekly television program, "Information Please," filmed in 2014. Episode discusses related public talk discussing the anthropology of dogs, the history of their domestication, and recent archaeological findings related to dogs in the Midwest.
Two episodes of Peoria Public Library's weekly television program, "Information Please," filmed i... more Two episodes of Peoria Public Library's weekly television program, "Information Please," filmed in 2008. Episodes discuss the colonial settlement at Jamestown in Virginia.
Uploads
Posters by Kelsey Noack Myers
Papers by Kelsey Noack Myers
public uses. DINAA’s initial goal is to integrate government-curated public data from off-line and online digital repositories, from up to twenty US states, and which qualitatively and quantitatively describe over 500,000 archaeological sites
in eastern North America. DINAA hopes to promote extension and reuse by government personnel, as well as by domestic and international researchers interested in the cultures, histories, artifacts, and behaviors described within these public data
sets. DINAA innovatively applies methodologies and workflows typical of many ‘open science’ and digital humanities programs to these data sets. The distributed nature of data production, coupled with protections for sensitive data, add layers of complexity. Ethically negotiating these issues can wider the collaboration between stakeholder communities, and offer an unprecedented new view on human use of the North American landscape across vast regions and time scales.
Conference Presentations by Kelsey Noack Myers
Presentation Abstracts by Kelsey Noack Myers
Talks by Kelsey Noack Myers
public uses. DINAA’s initial goal is to integrate government-curated public data from off-line and online digital repositories, from up to twenty US states, and which qualitatively and quantitatively describe over 500,000 archaeological sites
in eastern North America. DINAA hopes to promote extension and reuse by government personnel, as well as by domestic and international researchers interested in the cultures, histories, artifacts, and behaviors described within these public data
sets. DINAA innovatively applies methodologies and workflows typical of many ‘open science’ and digital humanities programs to these data sets. The distributed nature of data production, coupled with protections for sensitive data, add layers of complexity. Ethically negotiating these issues can wider the collaboration between stakeholder communities, and offer an unprecedented new view on human use of the North American landscape across vast regions and time scales.