National Park Service National Park Service First Class Mail C U L T U R A L T I E S U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior Postage and Fees A NEWSLETTER OF THE ALASKA NATIONAL REGISTER PROGRAM P A I D City, State Permit Number Alaska Support Office Cultural Resources 2525 Gambell St. #107 Anchorage, AK 99503
5travelling 5cover story 5featured 5 team 5news briefs, 5 artistic exhibit, p. 2 continues, p. 3 nhls, p. 4-5 notes, p. 6 p. 6 artifacts, back page Fragile Treasures Linking Generation to Generation By Amber Ridington
s an intern at the be willing to be National Park Service i n t e r v i e w e d A Alaska Support Office a b o u t t h e i r during the summer of 2001, I e x p e r i e n c e s, worked on one component of memories and a National Historic Landmarks interpretations of (NHLs) educational outreach t h e project, a traveling exhibit archaeological EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA about the six prehistoric NHLs s i t e s . J o n a s that will be taken to the Inupiat proved to be an villages adjacent to the NHL i n v a l u a b l e sites. The sites are Birnirk site g u i d e , (Piqniq)*, Barrow; Ipiutak Site interpreter, and Illustrated Artifacts: Meet Mark Luttrell (Tikigak), Pt. Hope; Wales sites also transcriber (Kingigen); Iyatayet site of the interviews, By Kylia McDaniel Shaktoolik and Elim; Cape mostly recorded Krusenstern Archaeological in Inupiaq. his issue of Cultural Ties features designed for fourth grade students who are learning District (Itiptigvik), Kotzebue Jonas Ramoth Alaskan artifacts, a bear carved about native cultures as part of their social studies and Noa tak ; an d On ion told me that 10 Tof ivory on page 7, an Aleut curriculum, will be made available to teachers across the Portage archaeological of the 40 people wooden mask possibly used in state. For these illustrations, Luttrell used photographs district (Paatitaaq), Shungnak, were alive and ceremonial dance pictured at left, taken of the Alaska Native Artifact collection at the Ambler, Kiana, and Kobuk. well. Jonas and I and an Aluetian Bidarka shown at the Heritage Library and Museum in Anchorage. The The goal of the exhibit Nelson Greist pictured with his granddaughter. NPS Photo by Amber Ridington, 2001. arranged to work bottom right. They were drawn by museum’s collection of Native Alaska artifacts is one of the is to foster education and From Dr. Giddings’ and Dr. together and interview archaeologist and illustrator, Mark more impressive displays of our history and culture preservation by highlighting the fragile Anderson's reports, I compiled a list of 40 five people who had assisted Lu tt re ll . At tr ac te d to Al as ka 's ranging from traditional to contemporary artifacts. Luttrell nature of the sites, and the vital Inupiat individuals involved in their archaeologists in the field. Those wilderness, Luttrell has over twenty notes that illustrations are extremely valuable assets connection between the communities archaeological expeditions, and then interviewed included Almond and Ruth years of archaeological experience. He recently returned because they reduce distractions that are often visible in today and these significant places of contacted Jonas Ramoth, the NPS Downey, Nelson Greist, and Wilson and from Aialik Bay in Kenai Fjords National Park, where he was photographs such as a glare or obstructing object. the past. Dr. Louis Giddings and, later Dr. Subsistence Ranger with the Western Daisy Tickett. working on his most current project: the excavation of an Additionally, illustrations highlight attributes that are most Douglas Anderson, from Brown University, Arctic National Parklands office located *With Inupiat stewards of the sites in mind, I Alutiiq village site. Luttrell began his career as an illustrator important to archaeologists. For more about Mark Luttrell were pioneering archaeologists who led in Kotzebue. The Western Arctic National after a colleague discovered his drawings and suggested and his illustrations, visit www.artifactillustration.com 2 excavations at three of the NHL sites: wanted to use the names that were Parklands office is a management unit meaningful to the local Inupiat shown here in he continue his craft. The illustrations pictured here are Cape Krusenstern, Iyatayet and Onion that includes Noatak National Perserve, parentheses. part of a series of forty that will be used in an Alaska Native Portage. These scientists developed Cape Krusenstern National Monument Cultures Board Game that the Alaska Anthropology close relationships with many Inupiat and Kobuk Valley National ParkI Continues on page 3 Association’s Public Education Committee has been during their work that collectively contacted Jonas, to see if any of these developing for the last couple of years. The board game, spanned from the late 1930s through people were still alive and if they would the 1960s.
VOL 1, ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2002 This footer is set in 8/10 B Frutiger Bold (or as the type style labeled “Footer-‘The official…’”) • Issue number goes here Preserving Your National Historic Landmarks CULTURAL TIES Vol. 1, Issue 1 Summer 2002 ational Historic Landmarks are CULTURAL TIES: A Newsletter of the Alaska buildings, sites, districts, National Register Program is an structures, and objects that occasional publication, produced by N the National Register Team of the have been determined nationally National Park Service, Alaska Support significant in American history and Office in Anchorage, Alaska. The team, culture. Several criteria are used to working as an inter-disciplinary team, select these landmarks, such as the provides historic preservation technical assistance to Alaska’s Native groups, quality of its significance; its National Historic Landmark owners, and exceptional value or quality in NPS park and affiliated areas. The illustrating or interpreting the heritage National Park Service is dedicated to of the United States in history, “Bear Carved from Ivory.” Drawing by Mark Luttrell. conserving the natural and cultural resources of the National Park System for architecture, archeology, the enjoyment, education, and technology and culture; and the land, while others are in the hands of available grant money that inspiration of this and future generations. degree of integrity of location. villages, native corporations, or specifically pertains to protecting National Register Team Members The first two Alaska sites to private individuals. Regardless of sites, such as the six NHLs featured in achieve National Historic Landmark ownership, the National Park Service this newsletter. More information Susan Bender (NHL) status were the Ipiutak Site at act s as an a dvo cat e fo r th e about funding for National Historic Archeologist preservation of all NHLs in Alaska and Landma rks is ava ila ble at the (907) 644-3203 Point Hope and the Iyatayet Site on Cape Denbigh. Over the years, the across the nation. National Historic Landmark Program Janet Clemens list of Alaska NHLs has grown to 48. Limited federal grants website
with the support of most are not household names. In Western Arctic Parklands will be Alaska, these nationally significant bringing the exhibit, along with a slide Alaska Office of History and Archaeology. Includes the State Historic Preservation Officer Ted Birkdal (SHPO) functions. Through this office, Historic Preservation Funds are available to assist Alaska Cultural Resources Team Manager places are found in virtually all show and information on grants regions of the state from Barrow to available for historic preservation, to owners of eligible historic properties. Sande Anderson Kake, and from Eagle westward to several villages in northwest Alaska
(907) 644-3251 fax Onion Portage, and the Iyatayet site o h P
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CULTURAL TIES 2 Summer 2002 CULTURAL TIES 7 Summer 2002 Team Notes Continued from page 1, Linking Generations... Efforts Underway to Preserve Unalakleet School Building Preserving Historic Structures I flew to Kotzebue to meet Jonas and I by Janet Clemens by Grant Crosby worked out the details of our ethnographic fieldwork. There we hown here is the Bureau of to Alaska Native villages. To assist The Moore Block in Skagway may be one of interviewed Almond and Ruth Indian Affairs Unalakleet the Village efforts, the National the gold rush town’s oldest and most Downey, and then traveled by boat S c h o o l w h i c h w a s Park Service prepared a condition significant buildings. It was built by Captain up the Kobuk River to the villages of S Ambler and Shungnak, where we constructed during the 1930s. assessment report and the William Moore, circa 1897, as an office interviewed Nelson Greist and Wilson Left, Wilson Tickett. Above, Daisy Tickett, 2001. This two-story building remains in National Register nomination. and personal residence. Today, the Block and Daisy Tickett. By including the (a.k.a. the Portland House) contributes to its original location and is a Recently listed on the National words of these local people and their involvement in archaeological work distinctive landmark within the Register of Historic Places, the the Skagway and White Pass District photos in the exhibit, we hoped that it of national significance. By tying community. Many residents building has been on the Alaska National Historic Landmark and Skagway’s would forge a more personal local faces and extant traditions to attended elementary school here A s s o c i a t i o n f o r H i s t o r i c Historic District, a district exemplary of late connection to the sites for the people direct link to the sites, or whether the the NHLs it is hoped that the exhibit will until its closure in the 1980s. The Preser vation’s List of Te n 19th century architecture. Owners Virginia in each community. Although I was sites represent a more distant engage the Inupiat stewards of the Long and Howard Smith are working with not able to visit all of the communities heritage, the Inupiat live with the sites Native Village of Unalakleet is Endangered properties for the sites and promote appreciation and and collect oral histories related to the and are their protectors and stewards. working towards acquiring and past two years. NPS historians, archaeologists, historical preservation of the national historic other NHL sites, I did make an effort to The sites have the power to evoke restoring the building for reuse as architects and structural engineers. This landmark sites. 2 find pictures and information that stories about the past and past office spaces and community team has begun to study the layers of the involved the local community for use cultures. activities. The Village is looking for building’s history with the intent of in the exhibit. Many of the Inupiat As well as preservation, one Amber Ridington received her funding for hazardous materials rehabilitating it to its 1902 appearance. communities are active in of the goals of the exhibit is to tell Master’s Degree in Folk Studies at Current plans for the rehabilitated structure remediation. Through the Alaska preservation initiatives and were able people about the national Western Kentucky University. She National Interest Lands include commercial space on the ground to provide information about their significance of the landmark sites and served as an intern with the Cultural Conservation Act, the National floor with offices and one-room efficiency preservation projects and to illustrate how these NHLs help us Resources Team of the National Park Park Service provides historic apartments on the second floor. collaborations with research groups understand the ways in which people Service in Anchorage from June preservation technical assistance BIA School of Unalakleet, 1950. NPS Photo. have lived in northwestern Alaska for through August 2001. “NHLs help us over 600 generations. This is understand the ways equivalent to over 11, 000 years. News Briefs The exhibit entitled, “Fragile in which people Treasures Linking Generation to Generation: National Historic have lived in Landmarks in Northern Alaska,” Alaska Archaeology Month History Day in Alaska Program. emphasizes Inupiat connections to The National Park Service, one of the Histor y Day in Alaska, which is Alaska’s Newest Landmark northwestern Alaska the six NHL sites with visual devices, as cooperating agencies within the sponsored by the National Park On August 7, 2001, the Secretary of for over 600 well as the recognition of Inupiat Public Education Committee of the Service, is a key component of the the Interior designated the Sheldon Alaska Anthropological Association National History Day program. It Jackson School a National Historic sponsors Alaska Archaeology Month. serves as a model for meeting Landmark. This is the newest of at the University of Alaska at It includes evening public lectures, na ti on al hi st or y st an da rd s fo r Alaska's Landmarks (of which there Anchorage, the Alaska Eskimo slide shows, hands-on activities for per formance assessment. Over are 48). Sheldon Jackson School is Whaling Commission and others. kids, and museum displays and tours. 2,000 students across the United recognized for its role in the Herbert Anungazuk, Native Look for more information on Alaska States including Alaskan students education of Alaska Natives during Liaison and Heritage Specialist with Archaeology Month 2003 in participate each year. The next issue the 20th century. Construction of the the NPS in Anchorage, is from Wales upcoming issues of the newsletter. of Cultural Ties will feature formal campus plan took place in and was very generous in sharing his information about the History Day Sitka in 910 and 1911, as a knowledge and expertise. He continuation of the Sitka Presbyterian provided us with access to his oral mission that began in the 1870s. history work at the Wales (Kingigen) sites, pictures from recent excavations at Wales, and local Inupiat interpretations of artifacts and features for these sites. While the sites are important in prehistory, they are also important in the living cultural landscapes of the Inupiat. Whether the Inupiat have a Ruth and Almond Downey in Kotzebue. All NPS Photos on this page by A. Ridington, 2001.
CULTURAL TIES 6 Summer 2002 CULTURAL TIES 3 Summer 2002 National Historic Landmarks of Northwest Alaska: Illustrating and Interpreting The Heritage of the United States
Onion Portage (Paatitaaq) Wales (Kingigen) Streams of migrating caribou from the Western Arctic herd have crossed Wales is on Cape Prince of Wales, the westernmost point of land on the the Kobuk River at Onion Portage for thousands of years, and people have North American continent, and the closest point to Asia. There has hunted them here for at least the last ten to twelve millennia. People of the been a whaling and seal-hunting village here for the last 1,500 years. village of Kobuk, a few miles upriver, still hunt caribou at the portage in the The excavations at the Wales Sites provided the first evidence of fall. The layered remains of the camps and villages of the past, preserved successive stages of prehistoric Eskimo culture in northern Alaska. The in an amazingly deep archaeological deposit at Onion Portage, originally Landmark, designated in 1962, is composed of three prehistoric sites discovered by J. Louis Giddings in 1941, have helped archaeologists containing material that spans the period from the Birnirk culture (500 piece together the story of prehistoric northwest Alaska. Eight different to 900 AD) to the present. The first discovery of the Thule culture in cultures, ranging from the Akmak complex (over 8,500 years old) through Alaska, which chronologically follows Birnirk, was made at the the Arctic Woodland Eskimo culture (A.D. 1000-1700) have been identified Kurigatavik site in Wales. In recent years, the National Science at the site by Douglas D. Anderson, who supervised intensive excavations Foundation has funded a multi-year project focusing on whaling at the site in the 1960s. Onion Portage was designated a National Historic societies in the western arctic. As part of the project, a team of Landmark in 1978. archeologists and local people excavated sites in Wales. It incorporated the artifacts that were found during the excavation into a display for the local school.
Cape Krusenstern (Itiptigvik) Several hundred sites compose this vast archeological district in Birnirk (Piqniq) northwestern Alaska. The sites are situated along a series of 114 beach Birnirk, located five miles northeast of Barrow, is the type-site for the ridges, horizontally stratified with the oldest sites found farthest from the Birnirk culture (500 to 800 AD), which represents the earliest present coastline and the youngest on the most recently formed beach recognizable manifestation of the historic Inupiat culture in northern ridges. The sweep of arctic prehistor y, dating from about 5,000 years ago Alaska. The site is composed of a group of sixteen well-defined up through cultures ancestral to modern Inupiat Eskimo occupation of the mounds arranged roughly in three rows parallel to the beach. The area, has been documented on these ridges, with even earlier sites being mounds have surfaces pitted with depressions marking house pits and found on the cliffs above. J. Louis Giddings and his crew, which included caches. Archaeological test pits were first excavated at Birnirk by Inupiat from nearby villages, discovered this rich archeological district in James Ford in the early 1930s, and subsequently by Wilbert Carter in 1960. This photo, taken in 1997 during a National Park Service the early 1950s. A wide assortment of artifacts, including harpoons for archaeological project, shows the excavation of one of the more recent whale and seal hunting, specialized ice-hunting tools, leisters for sites at Cape Krusenstern. The area is still a subsistence seal-hunting area fishing, and traveling gear, such as toboggans, were found at the site. today. There is still a summer hunting camp at Birnirk today. It was designated as an NHL on December 29, 1962. Shown here is photo of a mound at the Birnirk site taken in 1953 by Wilbert K. Carter. Iyatayet Caribou and seal hunters of five thousand years ago camped during the Ipiutak (Tikigak) summers on the terrace above this small bay, called Iyatayet, in Norton The Ipiutak site at Pt. Hope, designated as a National Historic Landmark Sound. When archaeologist J. Louis Giddings found this ancient camp in on January 20, 1961, is the type-site for the Ipiutak culture that 1948, it was the oldest known prehistoric site on the Alaska coast. This flourished in northwestern Alaska around the beginning of the Christian photo, taken by Giddings in 1950, shows his camp on the mouth of era. The site, first discovered in 1939 by Helge Larsen, Froelich Rainey, Iyatayet Creek. Composed of three separate prehistoric cultures--Nukleet, and J. L. Giddings, encompasses a series of shallow, rectangular Norton, and Denbigh Flint Complex--the site preserves chipped stone house depressions on low beach ridges south of Ipiutak Lagoon. Some tools reminiscent of the Ipiutak culture, but also ground stone tools, stone 575 house depressions were eventually mapped at the site, thus lamps, and well-fired pottery. The first appearance of pottery as well as the making it one of the largest known prehistoric settlements in the presence of a large prehistoric permanent winter village in the Arctic was Alaskan arctic. The Ipiutak culture is also significant for its elaborate noted during excavations at Iyatayet. It was designated a National Historic burial goods and for its early evidence for the use of iron. The Ipiutak Landmark in 1961. site, along with the three other nearby sites (Old Tigara pictured here, New Tigara and Jabbertown) represent 2,000 years of continuous occupation of Pt. Hope.
CULTURAL TIES 4 Summer 2002 CULTURAL TIES 5 Summer 2002