Archaeology and Cultural Resources

Be a Steward of the Past

• Cultural resources are non-renewable. Moving objects around and taking artifacts forever alters that site’s story.
• Respect local cultures by leaving things as you find them when visiting historical and archaeological sites.
• Cultural resources on public lands, including their structures and artifacts, are protected by law.
• Take only photographs, leaving features undisturbed and artifacts where you find them.
• Being a steward of the past means protecting our land’s cultural resources for future generations to cherish and experience.
• The heritage of public lands belongs to everyone. It’s all of our responsibility to preserve and protect it.
• Help preserve the past! Volunteer and become a site steward.
• If you share a photo or site location on social media or with a friend, share these stewardship messages.

What is Culture?

Culture is comprised of those beliefs, social structures, customs, traditions, and material traits specific to a group of people that make each group unique.

Many groups of people contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Alaska. Because of their close relationship with the forests since time immemorial, Alaska Natives have special significance in any study of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests.

The history, or chronological record of events that have occurred on the lands that are now the Tongass and Chugach, is also important in a study of the Forests.

Learn More!

Visit the State of Alaska Office of History and Archaeology website to access a variety of documents related to these topics.

• Fort Babcock is eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places for its association with World War II
  • Check out the upcoming Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) clean-up effort at Fort Babcock – led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Click here for more information.
• Heritage Sites on the Chugach and Tongass National Forests
• Alaska Native Cultures
• Alaska Region Programmatic Agreement
• Historic Cabins and Shelters Programmatic Agreement
• Tongass National Forest Heritage Program
• A brief timeline of Alaska statehood and Alaska's National Forests

Recording Petroglyphs and Sharing Techniques on the Tongass National Forest

Learn techniques for recording petroglyphs from Tongass National Forest archaeologists Jane Smith and Gina Esposito.

Uncovering the earliest archaeological sites in Southeast Alaska

An archeology presentation by Dr. Risa Carlson, USDA Forest Service Archaeologist for the Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island. 

Southeast Alaska Discovery Center Friday Night Insight, Feb. 18, 2022.