Aleuts

Mysteries of Migration

The “Aleut problem,” as brought forth by Roza G. Liapunova, for years has perplexed anthropologists. The Aleuts claim that they traveled along the islands coming from Kamchatka Island in Russia, making settlements, and ceasing their eastward migration on confrontations with another people (perhaps in the Tlingit territory). Yet excavations on ancient Aleutian campsites reveal that the older camps started in the east, with increasingly newer campsites westward.

It is generally agreed that the Aleuts stemmed from the Eskimo/Yupik family, yet on closer examination of the ancient Aleut skulls, they seem to resemble those of the Tlingits to the east, the Evenk of Cisbaikalia on the Asian Continent, and even Sioux Native Americans. Another point of ponder is the two periods of prehistoric Aleut art, with the earlier period being more complex and bearing a definite “Dorset culture” influence on harpoons and spears.

Scholars speculate that the Aleuts arrived in Alaska approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Although they may have still been part of the Eskimo/Yupik family when entering the North American Continent, there is also the possibility that the separation took place prior to migrating through the Beringia. Approximately 6,000 years ago, the Aleuts became their own race, as contended by Dennis H. O'Rourke and colleagues, their claims grounded in their research on mitochondria DNA. Finally, approximately 8,000 years ago, the Aleuts made their home on the Aleutian Chain. With one campsite more than 8,000 years old and another approximately 4,000 years old, the community of Nikolski on the Island of Ananiuliak may very well be the oldest community in the world.

Aleut Prehistoric Lifestyle

The isolation on these foggy, rainy, and tundra islands honed the talents of the Aleuts not only to survive but also to flourish. They excelled in boat crafting; their kayaks were fashioned from driftwood and mammal skin, with bone and stone joints, making them not only flexible but also the most unique of water vessels. The Aleuts were adept at not only navigating the rarely calm ocean waves but also hunting and fishing within these vessels. The Aleut weaving skills are highly praised, with their grass-woven baskets (both ancient and contemporary) being sought after by museums and private collectors.

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