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Discovering the past
Archaeologists have been unearth Agaligmiut ( now often call up Nunalleq ) , a hamlet in Alaska that was destroyed by blast and whose inhabitants were slaughter about 350 twelvemonth ago . Archaeologists find the remains of 28 body . They also strike 60,000 artefact that provide information on how they know . [ Read more about the archaeological web site and determination ]
Wooden artifacts
The 60,000 artifacts obtain at Agaligmiut admit the remains of wooden masks . This masquerade party look part human and part walrus . People in Agaligmiut believed that sometimes a soul could turn into an animal and frailty versa , archaeologists explained .
Tiny pieces
A doll decorated with blood-red ochre . Numerous wench and figurines were found at the site . They were used for a smorgasbord of purposes . including religious rituals and as toys .
Found in the frozen ground
Permafrost resulted in many of the artifact being well - preserved despite the passage of about 350 years . worldwide warming means that this permafrost is thawing and the artifacts they preserve are in peril of being lost . This pic shows a mask in the thawing permafrost .
Important traditions
Many of the masks , statuette and dolls are in the anatomy of animals , such as this caribou - shaped mask . Wildlife run an important role in the traditional beliefs of the Yup’ik people .
Animals, too
A carving of an bird of night . About 850 of the artifacts have been 3D scanned and are being put into an educational parcel that will be used to help children take about the archaeologic site .
Quinhagak
The archeological site is turn up near the modern - day township of Quinhagak in Alaska .
