Close up of Inupiat cliff dwelling, King Island (Ugiuvat), Alaska, probably between 1899 and 1900

• Main Author: Warner, Arthur Churchill, 1864-1943
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1899
• Subjects: Cliff dwellings > Alaska > Ukivok; King Island; Kayak; eskimo*; Inupiat; Nome; Alaska; walrus*
• Online Access: http://cdm16786.contentdm.oclc.org:80/cdm/ref/collection/warner/id/530

King Island was historically occupied by Eskimos who called themselves "Aseuluk." The Island was named by Captain Cook in 1778 for Lt. James King, a member of his party. In 1900, the Eskimo name was reported to be "Ukiwuk." The village was occupied during the winter by approximately 200 Eskimos, who achieved fame as hunters and ivory carvers, and who lived in walrus-skin dwellings lashed to the face of the cliff. The Islanders subsisted on walrus, seal, birds, berries and green plants. Every summer the entire population would travel to the mainland by kayak and umiak, and remained for a few months. Once Nome was founded, they customarily camped near town each summer to sell their intricate ivory carvings. Warner [2147] Filed in Alaska series.