Amalik Bay Archeological District facts for kids
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Amalik Bay Archeological District
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Aerial view of Amalik Bay
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | King Salmon, Alaska |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000460 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 5, 2005 |
| Designated NHLD | April 5, 2005 |
The Amalik Bay Archeological District is a special area in Alaska where many ancient sites have been found. It is located along the Pacific coast inside Katmai National Park and Preserve. This area is part of the mainland near Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska.
The most important discovery in Amalik Bay is on Mink Island. Here, scientists have found proof that people lived there from about 7,300 to 500 years ago. This makes it one of the oldest known places where humans lived on the Alaska Peninsula. The site is right by the ocean, so waves can wear it away. To protect it, the National Park Service has built a special wall. This place is amazing because its layers of soil show clearly how people lived and what they ate over thousands of years. Because it's so important, the district was named a National Historic Landmark in 2005. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Discovering Ancient Life at Amalik Bay
Scientists have learned a lot about the people who lived in Amalik Bay long ago. They study the tools, homes, and food remains left behind.
Who Lived Here Long Ago?
When the first people arrived in this area, around 5500 BCE (Before Common Era), the sea level was much lower. This meant that Takli Island, the biggest island in Amalik Bay, was even larger than it is today. It included several smaller islands nearby, like Mink Island.
Early Settlers and Their Homes
The important discoveries on Mink Island were first made in the 1960s. The earliest people living there built shelters by digging a pit in the ground. They likely covered these pits to create a roof. Inside these ancient homes, scientists found tools like an oil lamp made from a type of rock called basalt. They also found blades made from basalt and mussel shells. These tools are similar to others found from 8000 to 9000 BCE. Around 4600 BCE, a big volcano exploded, covering this early settlement.
Life After the Volcano
Soon after the volcanic eruption, people moved back to the area. These new settlers hunted sea lions, which were very common there. Around 4000 BCE, they built a large house, probably using driftwood for support. This house shows that people lived there for a long time. Above this house, there are more than 20 layers of things left behind by people. This shows that the site was used until about 2100 BCE. At that time, the weather became colder, and people left the site. Eventually, a sand dune about 100 centimeters (40 inches) thick covered it.
Later Occupations and Discoveries
Around 0 CE (Common Era), Mink Island was settled again. People lived there almost continuously until about 1500 CE. These later inhabitants created a large shell midden on the island. A shell midden is a big pile of shells, bones, and other trash from ancient meals. They also created several burial sites. One burial site held the remains of a family, including an older woman, two teenagers, and two small children. They were buried around 1450 CE. Scientists have also found the remains of five houses from this time period.
How Scientists Study the Past
Scientists have been studying the Amalik Bay area for many years. This helps us understand how ancient people lived.
Digging Up History
Human remains were carefully removed from the Mink Island site in the 1960s. They were removed again in 1997 because ocean waves were threatening the burial sites. In 2000, there was a lot of archaeological work done on the island. This means many scientists dug carefully to find and study ancient objects. In 2006, the site was made safe and secure to protect it from erosion. Now, the National Park Service checks on it regularly to make sure it stays protected.
