Anchorage, Alaska — Northwest (North America)
What is this “Rock Man”?
For generations the Inuit people of Northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska have constructed these rock monuments for hunting and navigational purposes. Our inuksuk is a giant version based on similar monuments found throughout the Arctic.
Inuksuk or Inunnguaq?
An “inuksuk” is usually constructed from un-worked rocks and used for marking a location or communicating directions.
Some inuksuk have been built to resemble people and are given the name inunnguaq. Most of these have been built in the last century by native and non-native people. Our 19 foot inuksuk is one such example.
What purpose did they serve?
During winter months on the featureless arctic plains, the inuksuk became an invaluable tool for survival.
Similar to the street signs of modern day, the Inuit people have used the inuksuit as guides and directional markers for generations. One could easily explain a particular route to travelers by describing the inuksuit they would see along the way. Food caches, settlements, and hunting grounds were also marked with these monuments.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Native Americans.
Location. 61° 10.364′ N, 149° 51.78′ W. Marker is in Anchorage, Alaska. Marker is on Juneau St. The marker is located next to a 19 foot inuksuk at the southern edge of the Alaska Wild Berry Products parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5225 Juneau Street, Anchorage AK 99518, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oscar Gill House (approx. 3.2 miles away); Resolution Park 1776 / 1778 (approx. 3˝ miles away); Captain James Cook (approx. 3˝ miles away); Anchorage Aloft! (approx. 4.2 miles away); Tsunami! (approx. 4.3 miles away); Turnagain Heights Slide (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Earth Did Quake (approx. 4.3 miles away); Measuring the Magnitude of Damage (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anchorage.
Also see . . .
1. Inuit. Source: Wikipedia (Submitted on October 20, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
2. Inuksuk. Source: Wikipedia (Submitted on October 20, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 135 times this year. Last updated on October 27, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2013, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.