Storm surge from ex-Typhoon Halong devastates Alaska’s Nunalleq site, scattering thousands of Yup’ik artifacts preserved for centuries in permafrost.
Ex-Typhoon Halong Ravages Vital Alaska Yup’ik Site
Ancient Site Struck by Fierce Coastal Storm
A powerful storm driven by the remnants of Typhoon Halong battered Alaska’s western coast on October 11–12, unleashing destructive winds and storm surge that tore into the village of Quinhagak, near the Bering Sea. While the Yup’ik community of 800 residents escaped major structural loss, it suffered a different kind of devastation—the destruction of a world-renowned archaeological site known as Nunalleq, meaning “old village.”
Priceless Artifacts Scattered and Lost
Thousands of artifacts once safeguarded by permafrost were swept away as the storm devoured several metres of shoreline. Archaeologists and volunteers managed to recover around 1,000 items, including fragments of wooden masks, tools, toys, and ceremonial objects. But project lead Rick Knecht, emeritus senior lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, estimated that up to 100,000 additional pieces may have been lost or displaced. “It’s like trying to read a book with holes in the pages,” Knecht said. “The bigger the gaps, the weaker the story becomes.”
Harsh Conditions Stall Recovery Efforts
Following the storm, freezing temperatures and encroaching ice halted attempts to retrieve artifacts scattered along the coast. Search teams on foot and four-wheelers could only recover objects visible at low tide before the onset of winter. The site now lies frozen and battered, leaving researchers to plan renewed excavation once conditions improve in the spring.
Unearthing a Window Into Pre-Contact Yup’ik Life
Since excavation began in 2009, the Nunalleq site has produced the world’s largest collection of pre-contact Yup’ik artifacts. The village, destroyed around 1650 during an intertribal attack, has offered rare insight into life before European arrival. The partnership between Quinhagak elders and archaeologists has blended traditional knowledge with modern research methods, preserving cultural history for future generations.
Climate Change Deepens the Threat
The storm’s damage reflects growing concern over climate change’s impact on coastal heritage sites. Rising seas, thawing permafrost, and increasingly severe storms have accelerated erosion along Alaska’s western coastline. Quinhagak itself faces serious risks: local infrastructure—including homes, fish camps, and sewage systems—is threatened by unstable ground and advancing tides, according to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s 2024 report.
Preserving What Remains for the Future
Recovered artifacts are now stored and treated in a local conservation lab in Quinhagak. Specialists are carefully desalinating and stabilizing the wood to prevent cracking. Without chemical preservation, many items would disintegrate within hours of drying. Despite the setback, Knecht and his team plan a “rescue excavation” next spring to salvage what remains of the site. “We’ve lost a lot,” he said, “but we’ll keep working to save the story of Nunalleq before it’s gone for good.”
