Out of Ice and Time PATOU, the Mummified Ice Seal (Poster)

Out of ice and Time – PATOU, the Mummified Ice seal (poster)

Anne Jensen, Aaron Mooris, Andrea Gonzalez Rioz, Lara Horstman, R. Stimmelmayr

Mummified specimens of pinnipeds are extremely rare and have only previously been reported from the Antarctic. During the 2016 summer archeological excavation of the Walakpa site, Alaska (Walakpa-Archaeological-Salvage-Project) several mummified ringed seals were discovered in an traditional Inupiaq Sigiuaq [ice cellar). We report on the initial forensic necropsy findings of “Patou”, as they relate to cause of death, carcass desiccation patterns, in-situ and x-ray anatomy. Laboratory diagnostic findings including carbon dating, harmful algae bio-toxins, disease agents, and stable isotope analysis are pending. Briefly, external morphology (i.e. pelt, size, shape and rings of claws, absence of a baculum) was congruent with a 5-6 year old female adult ringed seal. Whole body x-rays revealed a dense metallic body [blunt nosed bearing riffling copper jacketed 22 gage bullet] located in the neck shoulder region. Cause of death was the probable gunshot related trauma to the head (unilateral skull bone defect -right parietal occipital region). The desiccation pattern (i.e. organ size reduction and weight changes) observed differed based on tissue structure, function and water content of body tissues (i.e. body weight ~ 11kg, lung weight ~ 150 gr etc.) The chest cavity was greatly reduced in size with the diaphragm being pulled forward. Heart and lung lobes were colored dark brown to black. The lung lobes were compressed paper thin –like and an appearance like a 3-D topographic map; folds appeared to be arranged where pulmonary vessels and bronchi were situated. The abdominal plug, cigar shaped extended deeply into the chest cavity with rib impressions clearly noted on the diaphragm and liver lobes. Liver lobes were greatly reduced in size and the stomach and intestines were collapsed with an associated paper-thin mesentery. Kidney tissue was located at the proper anatomical site, however no bladder or reproductive structure were located. The mummified specimens from the Walakpa archeological site, present a unique opportunity to travel back in recent Arctic times and expand our understanding of processes of mummification under an Arctic climate, and provide important recent baseline data for life history and health aspects of an important Alaskan native ice seal subsistence species.

Braden, Hannah [[email protected]]