Wrangell Narrows, Alaska
Taking advantage of minus tides we joined federal archaeologists for an early morning walk to examine ancient Tlingt Indian fish traps. Visible mounds of boulders funneled into heart-shaped traps ringed with broken wooden stakes. This clever design would cause salmon and other schooling fish to swim into the traps as the tide receded. Tree-ring and radio-carbon dating showed that these particular traps had been built well-over 2000 years ago. Nearby on the beach, a large dark shale outcropping revealed ancient faces carved into the stone. These unusual petroglyphs added to the mystery of prehistoric fishing practices.
Providing a unique contrast was a visit to the modern fishing town of Petersberg. Settled in the 1890s by Norwegian immigrants, the quaint village boasts tidy colorful homes, colorful gardens, and an active harbor. And the boats are modern, with larger nets, electronically-baited crab traps, and all manner of electronics, much of the fishing life is knitted from ancient lore, traditions, and beliefs.
In between helicopter excursions and float plane flights over the Le Conte ice field, we were able to explore the dark and luxuriant cold rain forest. Like its tropical counterparts, these Pacific Northwest forests show remarkable layering; from towering canopies , to understory, to mossy ground cover. Several of the walks also traversed regions of muskeg, where the spruce-hemlock forest would give way to boggy clearings. Bog and rein orchids, along with two species of insectivorous sundews were among the many flowers that enchanted our visit.
Taking advantage of minus tides we joined federal archaeologists for an early morning walk to examine ancient Tlingt Indian fish traps. Visible mounds of boulders funneled into heart-shaped traps ringed with broken wooden stakes. This clever design would cause salmon and other schooling fish to swim into the traps as the tide receded. Tree-ring and radio-carbon dating showed that these particular traps had been built well-over 2000 years ago. Nearby on the beach, a large dark shale outcropping revealed ancient faces carved into the stone. These unusual petroglyphs added to the mystery of prehistoric fishing practices.
Providing a unique contrast was a visit to the modern fishing town of Petersberg. Settled in the 1890s by Norwegian immigrants, the quaint village boasts tidy colorful homes, colorful gardens, and an active harbor. And the boats are modern, with larger nets, electronically-baited crab traps, and all manner of electronics, much of the fishing life is knitted from ancient lore, traditions, and beliefs.
In between helicopter excursions and float plane flights over the Le Conte ice field, we were able to explore the dark and luxuriant cold rain forest. Like its tropical counterparts, these Pacific Northwest forests show remarkable layering; from towering canopies , to understory, to mossy ground cover. Several of the walks also traversed regions of muskeg, where the spruce-hemlock forest would give way to boggy clearings. Bog and rein orchids, along with two species of insectivorous sundews were among the many flowers that enchanted our visit.
