Beluga Point Site, Archaeological site at Turnagain Arm, Alaska.
Beluga Point Site is an archaeological location along Turnagain Arm, a coastal inlet south of Anchorage, featuring rocky outcrops that extend into the water. The site includes parking areas, observation scopes, and panels that explain the landscape and what visitors might see during their visit.
Excavations at the site uncovered artifacts between 8,000 and 10,000 years old, representing the earliest known human occupation in the Anchorage area. These discoveries show that people settled this coastal region immediately after glaciers retreated from Alaska.
This location served as a strategic hunting post for Native peoples who watched for whales from the rocky promontories. Visitors today use the same vantage points to observe the waters and coastline that shaped human activity for thousands of years.
The site is located along Seward Highway with paved parking available for easy access to the overlook areas. Visitors should bring layers of clothing, as the exposed coastal location experiences winds and weather changes throughout the day.
The site's name comes from the white whales that pass by in notable numbers between July and August, making them visible from the rocky outcrops year after year. This seasonal gathering has drawn observers and hunters to this same spot for thousands of years.
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