Excavations at Kwigiumpainukamiut: A multi-ethnic historic site, southwestern Alaska

Kwigiumpainukamiut lies on the north bank of the central Kuskokwim River in southwestern Alaska. During the Russian fur trading era it was inhabited by Kuskowagmiut and Ingalik. A small Russian trading post operated in this village for almost a decade. Afterwards a larger post operated across the river first by Russian and later by American companies. Research questions prompted by excavations focus upon the adaptations made by the two aboriginal groups to each other and to the European entities with whom they came into contact. Another research question re-examines a theory of Ingalik absorption based upon resource changes. The concept of meat packages is introduced as a measure for faunal analysis.;Findings of the excavation indicate a more mixed population than historical sources have implied, and that influences on the material culture at this site come fairly equally from Kuskowagmiut and Ingalik culture. Two types of architectural detail from this site appear to be distinct for the region. The faunal material indicates that changing resources did not play an important role in the ultimate absorption of Kuskokwim Ingalik. Two types of contact era industry are identified. In spite of the presence of various European trading posts in the immediate vicinity for over sixty years, their impact at Kwigiumpainukamiut did not create a dependency upon trade goods.