Cape Krunsenstern National Monument
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Cape Krusenstern National Monument is comprised of 659,807 acres of land and water, a coastal plain dotted with sizable lagoons and backed by gently rolling, limestone hills. The Cape Krusenstern area has been designated an Archeological District In the National Register of Historic Places, and a National Historic Landmark. The core of the archeologic district is made up of approximately 114 marine beach ridges. These beach ridges, formed of gravel deposited by major storms and regular wind and wave action, record in horizontal succession the major cultural periods of the last 4,500 years. The prehistoric inhabitants of northwest Alaska occupied the cape seasonally to hunt marine mammals, especially seals. As new beach ridges were formed, camps were made on the ridges closest to the water. Thus, over centuries, a chronological horizontal stratigraphy was laid down in which the oldest cultural remains were found on the beach ridges farthest from the ocean. The discoveries made at Cape Krusenstern National Monument provided a definite, datable outline of cultural succession and development in northwest Alaska.
Access
Daily jet service is available from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Kotzebue. Scheduled air service is available to the parklands and nearby villages. During the summer, with advance arrangement, a boat charter is available.
Approximate Size
660,000 acres.
