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| The Kodiak Archipelago superimposed onto a map of New England - from Chirikof Island on the lower left to the Barren Islands on the upper center (basically New Jersey to Vermont). |
Pretty soon I am off on my first archaeological survey of the year (fingers crossed). Over the last 25 years or so the Alutiiq Museum working with various landowners has systematically surveyed about two thirds of the whole Kodiak Archipelago (by my guesstimate). This includes Chirikof Island - the pear-shaped island shown down near Trenton, NJ on the map above. The map below shows what has been surveyed through 2023. Everything in red has been well surveyed while everything in purple needs survey. The green areas have been partially surveyed. On my next survey I hope to turn the top island (Shuyak) on the map below from purple to red.
Anyway, I got to thinking that this is a pretty HUGE area for such a systematic archaeological survey. In terms of Alaska 'scale' Kodiak is not such a big place, but when you put Kodiak over a map of New England you realize the true scale of Kodiak and of our survey work. In terms of New England over the last 25 years we have basically surveyed the State of Connecticut. Of course we have mostly just surveyed coastlines, river and lake banks because that's mostly where Alutiiq people lived or harvested resources. But I also think in New England the archaeological sites are mostly on the coast or river and lake banks too.
Kodiak is a big place and I am lucky to work here!
Patrick
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| Kodiak survey coverage - this is NOT exact but a rough tally |
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