Arrow

Radiocarbon dated to 550+-20 years old, this composite arrow was recovered from a melting ice patch at an elevation of 6600 feet above sea level. Ice and snow patches are attractive to sheep and caribou in the summer to help them cool off and avoid mosquitos and flies. Hunters exploited this by targeting them at these locations. This arrow demonstrates the technological complexity of the traditional Ahtna people of the area. The Ahtna were renowned for their copper technology and trading, and the search for copper later drove Russian and American exploration of the region. The copper end blade and antler arrow point are currently on display at the C'ek 'aedi Hwnax, the Ahtna Cultural Center located on the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve headquarters campus.