Antiquity of Man at Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska

Abstract

AbstractGeologic evidence from Anaktuvuk Pass indicates that the latest ice advance during the Itkillik glaciation reached its maximum stand between 8000 and 9000 years ago. Archaeological sites at the pass lie behind a terminal moraine built during this advance and therefore must postdate it. In view of the probable time involved for deglaciation, habitable ice-free areas near the axis of the valley could not have been available for campsites until an advanced stage of ice wastage. Radiocarbon dates indicate that deglaciated areas existed near the present drainage divide as early as 7200 years ago, but prior to that time the valley floor was largely buried under stagnant ice. Although certain archaeological complexes have been interpreted on the basis of typology as evidencing considerable antiquity, the geologic relationships between the sites and radiocarbon-dated, late-glacial sediments places a maximum limiting age of about 7000 years on the oldest cultural materials.