The Birnirk culture was a prehistoric Inuit culture of the north coast of Alaska, dating from the 6th century AD, to the 12th century AD[1] The Birnirk culture first appeared on the American side of the Bering Strait, descending from the Old Bering Sea/Okvik culture and preceding the Thule culture;[2] it is distinguished by its advanced harpoon and marine technology.[1] A burial mound of the Birnirk culture was discovered in the town of Wales, Alaska; 16 more have been found in Utqiagvik at the "Birnirk site," which is now a National Historic Landmark. An ancient Birnirk village has been found at present-day Ukpiaġvik.
- ^ a b Gibbon, Guy; Ames, Kenneth (1998). Archaeology of Prehistoric Native America: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. pp. 72–73. ISBN 9780815307259.
- ^ Bockstoce, John (1979). The Archaeology of Cape Nome, Alaska. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. p. 86. ISBN 9780934718271.