Archaeological and Ethnological Study of the Historic and Late Prehistoric Periods in the Noatak River Region, Northern Alaska

An investigation of the historic and late prehistoric periods in the Noatak River region of Northern Alaska was begun in June of 1962. Various regions of the Noatak Range were investigated for their archaeological possibilities but special attention was given the parts of the Range that have proved favorable in the past for the discovery of cultural remains. Several sites were discovered during these four years and excavation centered on those historic sites the older inhabitants remembered as important villages. Listed below are some subjects that were investigated: (1) subsistence procedures followed by the inhabitants before White contact; (2) local informants listed a few of the changes due to White contact; (3) artifacts were catalogued from various sites; (4) the celebration of various holidays was observed; (5) the changes in land use during the past 100 years; and (6) the biographies of the oldest woman and one of the oldest men in a village were recorded.