UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Canada

Bluefish Caves

Paleolithic cave site, Yukon, Canada

Location

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Historical Context

About

Bluefish Caves is an archaeological site in Yukon, Canada, located 54 km (34 mi) southwest of the Vuntut Gwichin community of Old Crow. It has been controversially suggested that human occupation dates to 24,000 years Before Present (BP) based on radiocarbon dating of animal remains, but these dates are contested due to the uncertain stratigraphic context of the archaeological remains relative to the dated animal remains. There are three small caves in the area.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Radiocarbon dates suggesting early occupation

c. 24,000 BP

Site popularized by fishing expedition

1976

Excavations by Jacques Cinq-Mars

1977–1987

2017 review supporting early dates

2017

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves
category

Food Production and Processing Features

Butchering Areas
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Canada

Coordinates

67.15° N, -140.58° E