An Inadvertent Endowment: Giddings’ contribution to resource preservation in northwest Alaska

Summary

James Louis Giddings was not only a pioneer in Arctic archaeology but he also contributed significantly to the protection of areas of archaeological importance, enabling the continued research of subsequent generations. I explore his direct and indirect roles in establishing federal protection for Alaskan archaeological sites and related lands during and after his life. His research and writings contributed to the establishment of four National Historic Landmarks (NHL), one National Monument, and a National Park that together protect over 3,700 square miles (2.4 million acres) of parklands in northwest Alaska. The sites of Ipiutak and Iyatayet both received NHL status in 1961, the first such designations in Alaska. His excavations on the beach ridges of Cape Krusenstern formed the scientific basis for its 1973 NHL designation and eventual recognition as a National Monument in 1978. His exploration of Onion Portage contributed to its 1978 NHL designation and helped establish the importance of the resources of Kobuk Valley National Park in 1980. Although it was not the focus of his field work, and much was accomplished by others, the protection of archaeological sites and related resources in Northwest Alaska is an undeniable component of his legacy.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Envisioning and Re-envisioning Arctic Archaeology: The Enduring Legacies of J. Louis Giddings (1909-1964)

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