Storm Erosion Exposes Ancient Artifacts in Quinhagak, Alaska

Thu Oct 30 2025 18:54:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A storm has revealed hundreds of ancient artifacts in the Yup’ik community of Quinhagak, Alaska, but climate change poses new threats to the site’s preservation.

Following a recently devastating storm in Quinhagak, Alaska, a significant number of ancient Yup’ik artifacts were revealed by eroded permafrost. Archaeologists have recovered nearly 1,000 historical items but estimate that tens of thousands more remain at risk along the coastline. This event draws attention to the ongoing impact of climate change on significant archaeological sites and the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities in Alaska.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — After the winds and surging tides of a recent storm battered the western Alaskan village of Quinhagak, a wealth of historical artifacts the landscape has hidden in permafrost for centuries have emerged along the shore. Encompassed within the rubble of sand and mud were wooden spoons, fishing lures, toys, and a fragment of a mask, with many artifacts stretched along miles of beach.

While the Yup’ik community, located on the edge of the Bering Sea, avoided the full brunt of Typhoon Halong's devastation that affected areas to the west, it experienced significant erosion. This loss included critical archaeological sites that held thousands of artifacts vital to Yup’ik heritage.

According to archaeologist Rick Knecht, who has spent 17 years working on the Nunalleq project, approximately 1,000 pieces were recovered shortly after the storm that struck on October 11 and 12. However, many more artifacts—possibly up to 100,000—are now scattered along the beach, raising concerns over cultural heritage as significant archaeological collections could be forever lost. This unprecedented number represents the entirety of items previously retrieved from the site.

Knecht labeled the situation as a significant loss, explaining: “When there are holes or disturbances in the site, it’s like trying to read a book with holes in the pages. You’re going to miss a few things.” He emphasized how environmental threats such as climate change and coastal erosion have long posed risks to these archaeological treasures.

The community of Quinhagak, consisting of about 800 residents, relies heavily on subsistence food gathering, making the protection of their cultural artifacts paramount. The storm not only brought upheaval to historical sites but also threatened infrastructure crucial for local life, including homes and a sewage lagoon. A study by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has highlighted how the thawing permafrost is jeopardizing structural stability in the area.

Since 2007, Knecht has collaborated with local elders to fuse traditional knowledge with archaeological practices, underscoring the need for protection of their cultural stories. The excavation was initially prompted by artifacts gradually appearing on the beach, and the project previously focused on excavating parts of the site most at risk.

“It feels like we’re starting from scratch again,” Knecht remarked, noting how the landscape's drastic changes left him momentarily unable to recognize the familiar archaeological site. As freezing temperatures set in, immediate recovery efforts have ceased, but plans for a future 'rescue excavation' are in place for the coming spring.

Once the artifacts are recovered, they will be preserved in a local museum laboratory, where extensive care will be taken to ensure their continued integrity. Work has involved soaking them to remove harmful marine salts and treating them with chemicals to mitigate drying damage.

Ultimately, this unfolding chapter in Quinhagak highlights a worrying intersection of climate change and cultural preservation, raising awareness of the urgent steps needed to safeguard Indigenous history against the forces of nature.