Birnirk Site
National Historic Landmark

Birnirk Site

Barrow, North Slope County, Alaska
Listed
October 14, 1966
Type
Site
Period
Pre Contact
Ref No.
66000953

About this property

The Birnirk culture was a prehistoric Inuit archaeological culture that flourished between the 6th and 12th centuries along the Alaska North Slope and the Chukchi Peninsula of present-day Russia. The Birnirk culture first appeared on the American side of the Bering Strait, descending from the Old Bering Sea and Okvik traditions and preceding the Thule people. It is distinguished by its advanced harpoon technology and other maritime hunting adaptations. A Birnirk burial mound was discovered at Wales, Alaska, and sixteen more have been identified at the Birnirk site near Utqiagvik, now a National Historic Landmark. An ancient Birnirk village has also been documented at Ukpiaġvik, the historic settlement at the site of present-day Utqiagvik.

Location

Barrow, North Slope County, Alaska

Federal Designation

The National Register of Historic Places, administered by the National Park Service, is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural significance. Listing on the National Register recognizes a property's importance to American history but does not place restrictions on private owners; it does, however, make properties eligible for federal historic preservation tax incentives and enables consideration in federal planning decisions. National Historic Landmark designation, the highest level of federal recognition, is reserved for properties that possess exceptional national significance in the history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture of the United States. This property is recorded in the National Register under reference number 66000953. It was listed on October 14, 1966.

Categories

PREHISTORIC
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Questions about this property

When was Birnirk Site listed on the National Register?

Birnirk Site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 14, 1966.

What type of historic resource is Birnirk Site?

Birnirk Site is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is Birnirk Site a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Birnirk Site has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for Birnirk Site?

The period of significance for Birnirk Site is recorded as the pre_contact era.

Can I research the history near Birnirk Site?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Birnirk Site will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More historic places in Alaska

Browse all historic places in Alaska.

View Alaskahistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Alaska history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Alaskahistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Birnirk Site will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report