Last updated: October 29, 2021
Place
Brooks Camp Cultural Site Trailhead
NPS Photo/C. Bell
Quick Facts
Location:
Brooks Camp, Katmai National Park and Preserve
Amenities
1 listed
Trailhead
The Trail
The trailhead is located across from the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Follow this trail 1/4 mile one way to reach the reconstructed home site. The trail has practically no elevation gain or loss and is wheelchair accessible. The closest bathroom is here, near the Visitor Center. Occasionally, rangers lead guided cultural walks to the site. Inquire at the Visitor Center for more information. As always, be bear aware.
Who lived here? A broad archaeological overview. Human habitation in the Brooks River area began around 2400 BC and continued for the next 4,200 years. There were three distinct waves of human habitation in the region, known as “Traditions,” which are characterized by unique types of artifacts. These help us piece together the archaeological record and learn something about the cultures and people who lived here in the past.
The first known people in the region were from the Paleoarctic Tradition (9,000-7,000 years ago), followed by the Northern Archaic Tradition (5,000 to 3,850 years ago), the Arctic Small Tool Tradition (3,850-3,000 years ago), the Norton Tradition (2,250-900 years ago), and finally the Thule Tradition (900 years ago to historic contact). The people of these ancient societies were the ancestors of today’s Alaska Native people whose families originate from this area, particularly the Alutiiq people. We are able to piece together the stories of the past with the help of oral traditions from Alutiiq communities, as well as evidence from artifacts and ancient housing sites, like those found along Brooks River.
The trailhead is located across from the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Follow this trail 1/4 mile one way to reach the reconstructed home site. The trail has practically no elevation gain or loss and is wheelchair accessible. The closest bathroom is here, near the Visitor Center. Occasionally, rangers lead guided cultural walks to the site. Inquire at the Visitor Center for more information. As always, be bear aware.
Who lived here? A broad archaeological overview. Human habitation in the Brooks River area began around 2400 BC and continued for the next 4,200 years. There were three distinct waves of human habitation in the region, known as “Traditions,” which are characterized by unique types of artifacts. These help us piece together the archaeological record and learn something about the cultures and people who lived here in the past.
The first known people in the region were from the Paleoarctic Tradition (9,000-7,000 years ago), followed by the Northern Archaic Tradition (5,000 to 3,850 years ago), the Arctic Small Tool Tradition (3,850-3,000 years ago), the Norton Tradition (2,250-900 years ago), and finally the Thule Tradition (900 years ago to historic contact). The people of these ancient societies were the ancestors of today’s Alaska Native people whose families originate from this area, particularly the Alutiiq people. We are able to piece together the stories of the past with the help of oral traditions from Alutiiq communities, as well as evidence from artifacts and ancient housing sites, like those found along Brooks River.