United States

On Your Knees Cave

Early coastal cave site, southeastern Alaska

Location

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Historical Context

About

On Your Knees Cave (49-PET-408) is an archaeological site located in southeastern Alaska (Prince of Wales Island). Human remains were found at the site in 1996 that dated between 9,730 ±60 and 9,880±50 radiocarbon YBP (Years Before Present) or a calendrical date of 10,300 YBP. In addition to human skeletal remains, stone tools and animal bones were discovered. DNA analyses performed on the human skeletal remains document the presence of mitochondrial haplogroup D which occurs widely in the Americas. Isotopic analysis indicated that the individual had a primarily marine based diet.

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 for human remains

c. 9,730–9,880 radiocarbon YBP (calibrated c. 10,300 YBP)

Site discovered

1993

Animal bones reported

1994

Human remains discovered

1996

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Burial and Funerary Structures

Graves
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

United States

Coordinates

56.33° N, -133.59° E