Study Notes on the Unangan (Aleut) People of Alaska

Natives of Alaska: The Unangan (Aleut) People

Geographic Overview

  • The Aleutian Chain

    • Forms the westward arm of the Alaska Peninsula.

    • The islands are crests of submarine volcanoes.

    • Typically require a map insert to represent them accurately.

  • Environmental Conditions

    • Characterized by:

    • Maritime weather:

      • Violent storms

      • High winds

      • Dense fog

      • Little snowfall

      • No permafrost

    • These conditions influenced the history of contact with outsiders.

  • Adaptations of the Unangan People

    • Primarily relied on a marine environment for sustenance.

    • Developed sailing skills to navigate the sea for food and livelihood.

Identity of the Unangan People

  • Self-reference

    • The Unangan people call themselves "Ungen," meaning "we the people."

    • They believe they have inhabited the Aleutian Islands since the beginning of time.

    • Noted phrase: "There used to be many, now they are few."

  • Terminology Clarification

    • The term "Aleut" (or "Alley") does not originate from the people themselves.

    • Contributions to names derived potentially from Russian contacts and usage.

    • Russian term for islands' inhabitants possibly influenced by the term "elute" or from an interaction-based phrase like "alik wala" (meaning "what is it?").

Historical Contact and Population Decline

  • Impact of Russian Occupation

    • Population at time of initial contact: approximately 16,000 Unangan.

    • Population reduction after 10 years of Russian occupation: 50%.

    • Population after 50 years of occupation: down to roughly 1,600 individuals.

    • Initial population characterized by longevity (some lived over 100 years) and very low infant mortality rates.

Anthropological Studies

  • Early Authorities

    • William Laughlin

    • A prominent figure studying the Unangan, passed away in the 1980s.

    • His papers archived at the University of Alaska Anchorage Library.

    • Authored "Aleuts: Survivors of the Bering Land Bridge."

    • Conducted field work during the 1930s, 1940s, 1960s, and 1970s.

  • Key Findings in Physical Anthropology

    • Identified physical traits such as the presence of "sacral spots" (Mongolian spots) in infants, which disappear over time.

    • Blood group studies revealed:

    • Unangan were more genetically similar to Eskimos than to other Indigenous groups in North America.

    • Observed conditions like high rates of spina bifida and neural arches common among Unangan and Eskimos.

  • Contribution to Migration Theories

    • Unangan contribute to theories regarding early migrations to the Americas.

    • Considered part of the third migration wave to the Americas, thought to have arrived via sea routes.

Cultural Achievements

  • Material Culture

    • Comprises tangible objects such as:

    • Kayaks

    • Clothing

    • Items used in daily life.

    • Utilized driftwood and whale bones for construction due to limited tree resources.

  • Intellectual Culture

    • The Unangan showed advanced understanding of human anatomy through practices like mummification.

    • Developed a rich oral tradition and artistic expressions.

    • Vocabulary included detailed nomenclature for anatomical features (e.g., small arteries and bone structures).

Conclusion

  • The Unangan people have a complex history marked by adaptation to environmental challenges, significant population changes due to external contact, and notable cultural achievements that have contributed to the understanding of their societal structures and heritage.

  • Prehistory of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands

    Archaeological Sites

    • Oldest Site:

      • Location: Amnok Island

      • Age: 8,000 years old

      • Findings:

      • Permanent houses known to have been abandoned

      • Significance: Rare find in Alaska and Aleutians

    • Chalukya Village:

      • Duration: Continuous occupation for 4,000 years

      • Found in Nak Island; one of 22 villages

      • Artifacts:

      • Harpoons

      • Spearheads

      • Possible images of a deity

      • Grinding stones and mortars for various herbs

      • Fish hook shanks and more spear heads

    • Artifact Types:

      • Seal oil lamps:

      • Construction: Made from vertebra and filled with moss

      • Used whale oil as fuel

      • Carved stone dishes and primitive grinding stones

      • Driftwood shovel and whale bone lamps

      • Bone needles for sewing, root diggers

      • Decorative items of uncertain purpose (e.g., deity representation or dolls)

      • Harpoons and socket sets

    • Archaeological Excavation:

      • Involves teams sponsoring digs and researching sites of the Aleutians

      • Example: Investigation of the Mac Bridge site and specific artifacts found during excavations

    Historical Context of Russian Contact

    Discovery of the Aleutians

    • Vitus Bering:

      • Occupation: Danish navy officer, served in the Russian navy

      • Commissioned by Tsar Peter the Great to explore waters east of Siberia

      • First Voyage: 1727, during which he discovered the Bering Straits and St. Lawrence Island

      • Significant for the lack of knowledge of the surrounding waters, feared sea monsters and falling off the earth

    Second Voyage in 1741

    • Ships involved:

      • St. Peter (captained by Bering)

      • St. Paul (captained by Cherenkov)

    • Major figures:

      • George Steller: Ship's doctor and scientist

      • Description: Brilliant but difficult personality, newly married

    • Significance: Charts unknown waters; initial contacts with Aleutian Natives documented through Steller's meticulous notes

    First Encounters with Alaska Natives

    • Initial Contact:

      • Event: Sighting of Alaska Natives while in a boat; natives approached the ship

      • Communication: The word “Nachtie” (meaning water) was used repeatedly

      • Demonstrations: Natives presented items like clay and grasses, signaling an interest in trade or contact

    • Cultural Exchange:

      • Offerings: Natives attempted to exchange goods (e.g., a complete hawk skin for items like smoking pipes and beads)

      • Misunderstandings and fear led to several tense interactions, including the use of rifles by Russians that panicked natives

    Challenges and Difficulties at Sea

    • Troubles during Voyage:

      • Separation of ships due to a storm

      • Aimless sailing leading to disorientation and crew illness

    • Health Crisis:

      • Conditions deteriorated with scurvy affecting the crew

      • Steller’s poor reputation: Reluctance to aid ill crew members further complicated survival

    • Land Sightings:

      • Sighted land became known as Bering Island; harsh conditions leading to shipwrecked survival for ten months

      • Life on the island consisted of utilizing available resources like sea otters, fur seals, and making makeshift shelters

    Aftermath and Legacy

    Recovery and Return to Siberia

    • Survivors' Journey:

      • Rebuilt a vessel using remnants of their old boat

      • Return to Siberia brought back valuable furs that sparked interest in further exploitation of Aleutian resources

    Steller's Later Life

    • Final Years of Steller:

      • Continued exploration and documentation during time in Siberia

      • Conflicts with Tsar's bureaucracy; released 17 unfairly arrested natives leading to his own arrest

      • Death: Died at 37 due to deteriorating health while returning to St. Petersburg

      • Legacy: Notable for extensive notes and illustrations that documented new species and interactions in the Aleutians and Siberia