How To Survive the Little Ice Age

Unlike Europe, which experienced famines, Nunalleq showed no signs of food scarcity. This was due to the diverse diet of its inhabitants and their inherent adaptability to the extreme and unpredictable Arctic environment. The end of Nunalleq's occupation was likely due to conflict between 1645-1675, possibly triggered by climate change, rather than environmental disaster. Today, Nunalleq serves as a valuable archive, offering lessons in resilience against extreme climate change, with caribou hunting and salmon fishing remaining vital aspects of life in southwest Alaska.

In 1570, the village of Nunalleq in southwest Alaska was experiencing colder-than-usual conditions during the Little Ice Age. Despite global cooling, Nunalleq thrived, evidenced by archaeological findings. The Little Ice Age, a period of climate change lasting a few hundred years, saw ocean temperatures drop slightly, leading to extreme cold in many parts of Europe.

The term 'Little Ice Age' refers to a period of climate change from approximately 1400 to 1850. It was a significant period in the Northern Hemisphere, despite its relatively short duration. While European impacts have been well-studied, researchers are now focusing on other regions, like Nunalleq, to understand its widespread effects.

The melting permafrost in Nunalleq exposed sod houses and thousands of artifacts, leading to an archeological excavation since 2009. Working with the Quinhagak Village Corporation, researchers have uncovered over 100,000 artifacts, now housed in a museum, forming the world's largest collection of pre-contact Yup'ik artifacts. Radiocarbon dating indicates the site was occupied during the core of the Little Ice Age, from 1570 to 1675.

Analysis of refuse piles at Nunalleq revealed a diverse diet of fish, marine mammals, land animals, and birds. Beetle remains indicated temperatures at least 1.2 degrees Celsius colder than modern averages, a more extreme change than in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Caribou teeth isotopes showed changes in breeding grounds, suggesting adaptation to environmental shifts. This indicates Nunalleq adapted well during one of the coldest parts of the Little Ice Age.

The Little Ice Age was a time of increased climate variability with multiple contributing factors. Hypotheses include solar minima, periods of reduced solar activity. Additionally, changes in land use in the Northern Hemisphere, such as deforestation, increased Earth's albedo (reflectivity). Increased volcanic activity also contributed by releasing particles into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing cooling. These factors, combined with changes in ocean-atmosphere interactions like the North Atlantic Oscillation, led to the colder climate.