College in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska — Northwest (North America)

Historical Archaeology

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024

1. Historical Archaeology Marker

Inscription.
Archaeology is the field of anthropology that deals with the study of historic and prehistoric human activity. Within that branch, the subfield of historical archaeology combines information from artifacts, written records, and oral history to investigate past cultures. Dr. Wendell Oswalt undertook several field seasons of excavations at the Kolmakovsky Redoubt site in the 1950s and '60s in an attempt to better understand the different phases of occupation and the lifestyles of the post's residents and visitors.

From his excavations, Oswalt recovered evidence of Yup'ik and Athabascan cultures, as well as Russian and Euroamerican cultures. The 5,000+ artifacts he recovered are curated in the archaeology department at the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

[Illustration captions, clockwise from top right, read]
• Site map of Kolmakovsky Redoubt as excavated by Oswalt, showing the other structures located at the fort.

• View of the Kolmakovsky Redoubt site, looking south from the Kuskokwim River, 2012

• Fragment of Yup'ik pottery · Decorative "gun dragon" · Tin soldier · Glass bottle · Glass beads dating

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from the Russian period of occupation at the post. After tobacco, beads appear to have been the most desired trade item. · Yup'ik uluaq (semi-lunar knife) or "woman's knife" · Tobacco can

Erected by University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 2012.

Location. 64° 51.571′ N, 147° 50.385′ W. Marker is in College, Alaska, in Fairbanks North Star Borough. It can be reached from Yukon Drive. The Kolmakovsky Redoubt is about 400 feet northeast of the Museum of the North, just beyond the museum parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1962 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks AK 99709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Alaska Railroad Corridor,

in the Athabascan Region,

and in Interior Alaska.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024

2. Historical Archaeology Marker

Looking from redoubt toward
the Museum of the North

itself in what was once the Russian Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Middle Kuskokwim River (here, next to this marker); The Russian American Company (here, next to this marker); Saving an Alaskan Treasure (here, next to this marker); The Only University-Owned Rocket Range in the World (approx. ¼ mile away); What goes up must come down! (approx. ¼ mile away); What is the Aurora? (approx. ¼ mile away); What is This Rocket? (approx. ¼ mile away); Helga Wilm (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in College.

Also see . . . Wendell H. Oswalt Photoraph Collection, Western Alaska, 1940s-1980s (Alaska State Library). (Submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

The Rehabilitated Kolmakovsky Redoubt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., August 17, 2024

3. The Rehabilitated Kolmakovsky Redoubt

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 179 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 9, 2024, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.