A 13,800-year-old archaeological site in Alaska is providing new clues about the first Americans and their ancestors’ migration from Asia into North America. Researchers have uncovered stone tools, ancient cooking areas, and evidence of a possible shelter. The findings suggest that early inhabitants repeatedly occupied the region and maintained cultural connections with populations in northeastern Siberia.
The study, led by archaeologist Kelly E. Graf, focuses on Shég’ Xdaltth’í’, an ancient settlement about 34 miles southeast of Fairbanks. Its name means “They were there” in an Alaska Native Athabaskan language. The discovery adds to growing archaeological evidence of ancient human settlements in Alaska. It could help explain how populations spread across Beringia, the ancient landmass that once connected Asia and North America.
Ancient Alaska site reveals evidence of repeated settlement
Archaeologists recovered more than 80,000 specimens from the site’s oldest occupation layer, including stone tools, animal bones and charcoal. Radiocarbon dating dates the main early occupation to approximately 13,850 to 13,500 years ago. Excavations revealed eight distinct features, including hearths, a shallow pit, discarded animal bones, and a possible dwelling.
A 13,800-year-old site in Alaska is revealing new clues about the first Americans. Archaeologists uncovered ancient tools, cooking areas and a possible shelter, along with evidence of cultural links to Siberia that could reshape our understanding of early migration. pic.twitter.com/zU5xW7azlF
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) October 15, 2026
Researchers also identified a large cooking area containing burned rocks and charcoal. They believe it functioned as an earth oven used to slowly cook meat. The possible shelter could represent the earliest known habitation structure in North America, although further research is needed to confirm its purpose. Together, the discoveries suggest that the location served as a residential camp visited repeatedly rather than a temporary hunting stop.
Stone tools reveal connections between Alaska and Siberia
Among the most significant finds were diamond-shaped stone tools resembling artifacts discovered at Nikita Lake and Berelekh in northeastern Siberia. Unlike tools from some other early Alaskan sites, these artifacts were not associated with clear evidence of microblade technology. Researchers suggest that the differences may reflect separate cultural traditions and potentially distinct migrations from Asia.
The findings add archaeological evidence to research examining the ancient connections between Siberia and Native American populations. The team also identified obsidian originating about 230 miles northwest of the settlement, indicating access to materials from distant locations.
Discovery offers new clues to the first Americans
Bone needles, worked antler, and animal remains provide further evidence of daily life. The inhabitants hunted or used animals including bison, mammoths, caribou, and various birds. Researchers also recovered an unusual wolf jaw that may belong to a distinct ancient population, although its possible connection to early dogs remains uncertain. The findings strengthen evidence that culturally diverse populations occupied Alaska before the Clovis culture emerged farther south around 13,200 years ago.
However, researchers cannot yet determine whether the settlement’s inhabitants were direct ancestors of later Indigenous American populations. Previous DNA research into Native American origins has identified complex migration patterns, but ancient human DNA would be needed to investigate the connection to this particular settlement. For now, Shég’ Xdaltth’í’ provides an unusually detailed picture of how early communities adapted to Alaska’s landscape nearly 14,000 years ago.
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