On Your Knees Cave

On Your Knees Cave is an archaeological site located in the Tongass National Forest on Prince of Wales Island. The cave has a large entrance surrounded by dense coastal forest and contains natural stone formations inside.

The cave was discovered in 1993 and contained human remains dating back about 9,730 to 9,880 years ago. This discovery showed that people lived in this region far earlier than previously thought.

The skeletal remains in the cave, called Shuká Káa in the Tlingit language, show that ancient people here lived by hunting and gathering from the sea. The scientific study of their bones tells us what food was most important to their survival.

Visiting this site requires coordination with local ranger services and proper equipment to protect the cave's preservation. Advance planning with forest authorities is essential to access this protected archaeological location.

Stone tools made from obsidian were found in the cave and came from British Columbia, showing that early people traveled or traded across great distances. This reveals how connected ancient communities were despite living in remote areas.

Location: Alaska

GPS coordinates: 56.33330,-133.59200

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44