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Central Alaska is home to some of the oldest and most significant archaeological sites in north America. The Broken Mammoth, Dry Creek, Swan Point, and Walker Road sites provide valuable insights into the early human occupation. And, by extension, the peopling of north America. Each site has yielded artifacts associated with prehistoric hunter-gatherer cultures, notably paleo traditions. Including some artifacts similar to Clovis technology, known for its distinctive fluted projectile points.

Broken Mammoth is located in the Tanana River Valley. It was discovered in 1989. Investigation of the site began in 1990, and excavations are ongoing to this day
It’s believed the setting was similar to lowland tundra with low vegetation. Mostly shrubs and few trees. The regional pollen record provide evidence of shrubland with plant life including dwarf birch and willow. After around 9,000 years though, this shrubland became woodland, which now is supporter spruce and alder trees.

According to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Evidence points to small camps, which served as headquarters for small hunting groups to operate seasonally

Resources of the region were diverse and plentiful
Large mammals; birds (mostly waterfowl); and, the some fish as well. Avian fauna is extremely diverse: mallard, teal, swan and geese. Notably large animals including mammoth, elk, caribou and bison. Though butchered on site. Mammoth kills were probably done away from the site.

Activities that would have most likely occurred here include: manufacturing of tools and maintenance as well as food processing and skin working

A bone needle was found
Suggesting occupants used this site to process resources, using skins to make clothing.

Obsidian
The obsidian that was used at this site came from Wiki Peak source (near British Columbia, and Yukon Border).

Dry Creek is also in the Tanana Valley, and notable for its stratified archaeological deposits
It contains evidence of human activity dating back more than 10,000 years, including projectile points and other stone tools. It is significant for its association with early Alaskan/Beringian peoples. The site has helped to connect north American Paleoindian cultures with Siberian Paleolithic traditions.

Swan Point contains the oldest evidence of microblade technology in eastern Beringa, dating back over 13,000 years

Did you know? Microblades, small sharp stone tools often used as inserts in composite tools

Like the other sites, Walker Road is located in the Tanana Valley

The sites are cold. They provide excellent preservation of the animals. So archaeologists can use insight into hunting methods and food resources utilized

Broken mammoth, Dry creek, Swan point, and Walker road collectively show the diversity of early human adaptation in Alaska. They provide clues about how humans spread from Asia into north America during the late pleistocene. They also support the hypothesis that Alaska served as a key migration route and hub for early populations. With a mix of technological and cultural influences from both paleo indian and Siberia.

Bibliography: Holmes, Charles E. “Tanana River Valley Archaeology Circa 14,000 to 9000 B.P.” Arctic Anthropology 38.2 (2001): 154. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2 Apr. 2011

Holmes, Charles E., et al. “GC/MS Analysis of Fatty Acids from Ancient Hearth Residues at the Swan Point Archaeological Site.” Archaeometry 51.1 (2009): 110-122. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4754.2008.00384.x (https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1475-4754.2008.00384.x)

Holmes, Charles E. 2011. The Beringian and Transitional Periods in Alaska: Technology of the East Beringian Tradition as Viewed from Swan Point. (https://books.google.com/books?id=bulgq1AeO4MC&pg=PA179) In From the Yenisei to the Yukon: Interpreting Lithic Assemblages Variability in Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Beringia, edited by T. Goebel and Ian Buvit, pp. 179–191. Texas A&M University Press, College Station

American Beginnings: The Prehistory and Palaeoecology of Beringia (https://books.google.com/books?id=N0mzl3c6g6kC&q=%22swan+point%22&pg=PA319). University of Chicago. December 1996. ISBN 9780226893990