Lecture explores connections between walruses, ancient Alaskans

Submitted by Amy Hartley
Phone: 907-474-5823
01/23/10

For the last 2,000 years, walruses have provided for Alaska Natives living along the Bering Sea coast and nearby islands. Walruses are a dominant food source, their skins provide coverings for boats and their tusks are made into harpoons for hunting.

Learn about the critical role walruses play in Alaska’s prehistory and find out about the important discoveries archaeologists are uncovering in the Bering Sea region during the second installment of the Science for Alaska Lecture Series on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010.

Erica Hill, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Alaska Southeast, will present "Tooth-Walkers: Uncovering the Archaeology of Alaska’s Walruses" at 7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room.

The Science for Alaska Lecture Series covers a broad range of science topics that are specific to Alaska and its residents. The Fairbanks series runs on Tuesdays through Feb. 23, 2010.

Hands-on activities and items from the University of Alaska Museum of the North’s collection will be on display starting at 6 p.m. All ages are welcome to participate at this free event.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Geophysical Institute and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company sponsor the 2010 series.

CONTACT: UAS assistant professor of anthropology Erica Hill at 907-796-6017 or erica.hill@uas.alaska.edu. Geophysical Institute information officer Amy Hartley: 907-474-5823, amy.hartley@gi.alaska.edu.

ON THE WEB: www.scienceforalaska.com

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