ChapterOne
Etched in Stone, Conveyed by Water
Long before my family claimed the Kenai River as part of our legacy, it became clear that we were only the latest in a long line of souls shaped by these waters—whispers of ancient lives lingered in its currents and the surrounding forests.
During the second summer in our new home, my sister was wandering down a narrow dirt road near our home by the Kenai River. Sunlight dappled through a tunnel of overhanging leaves and branches as she talked and sang to herself, occasionally kicking loose rocks along. A perfectly oval, dirty, orange-colored rock nestled in the dirt caught her eye. She stooped over and picked it up for a closer look and was stunned to see a face looking back at her! Slits of eyes etched deep into the chalkstone were positioned over a long straight nose, and beneath that, a small, expressionless mouth. It was only about two inches long and fit perfectly in the palm of her ten-year-old hand. She stared in amazement at the treasure from the depths of time, a relic from an ancient world that had been awaiting her discovery. In wonderment, she cradled the stone in her small, calloused hand and tucked it into the pocket of her well-worn jeans. She attempted to show it to our mom, who was distracted by dinner preparation and barely took notice. Later, Mom asked to see it and initially thought her clever daughter had made it. Gradually the realization dawned on her, as Laura once more told of her discovery, that this article of ancient craftsmanship must have been made by indigenous people. Mom talked to a neighbor, who passed the news along. Later that summer, an archaeological dig was conducted in the location of her discovery to gain additional insight into secrets buried beneath the surface of the land and to solve the mystery of what exactly the road construction had disturbed to unearth the fascinating find.
Eventually, this excavation, and others that followed in successive years and in varying locations, pieced together information that brought to life the story of an ancient group of people named by archaeologists: The Riverine Kachemak Tradition. The overall picture painted is one of salmon people reliant on the Kenai River and its watershed’s rich resources for all of life’s basic needs and who thrived as a result—in spite of an unforgiving landscape. A symphony of extremes, with seven months of winter from October to April and average temperatures ranging from 10 degrees above to 30 below zero Fahrenheit. Frequent winds drop the temperature even further. Available food, in the form of wildlife, diminishes as temperatures drop and people and animals hunker down to endure conditions. Dangers abound—not only in the form of weather but also in predators, challenging hunting terrain, and natural disasters. This was a hard country. These people navigated adversity with skill and knowledge passed generationally, a treasure trove of wisdom that enabled them to thrive.
In 1000 BC, King David began his reign in ancient Israel. The Iron Age was just starting in Europe, and Japan began cultivating rice. In Alaska, along the banks of the Kenai River, a group of people found a home. These salmon people lived in small villages along other major salmon streams too, including the Kasilof, Susitna, and Kustatan rivers. They anchored their existence to the life-giving waters of the rivers and their tributaries. We know them from what they left behind. Their tools, house sites, and even their garbage inform us about their lives. The tools and technology of the Riverine Kachemak Tradition were very similar to groups of people who lived on Kodiak Island and along Kachemak Bay. In fact, based on the dates of the sites, it is theorized that the Riverine people were the same people who had lived around Kachemak Bay, who relocated leaving Kachemak Bay for the inland salmon rivers. No one really knows why. It may have been due to changes in the climate; this was a warming time following the previous ice age. The environment and changing availability of food are likely to have been contributing factors. It might have been based on conflicts within themselves or with other people.
Imagine their first arrival—weary travelers, babies and toddlers strapped to the backs of women, gray heads atop stooped shoulders, leaning on sturdy walking sticks for support, men with heavy loads, weapons in hands and a constant protective gaze scanning the horizon. Children, young and energetic, did their share, hauling bundles of important possessions and filling the air with songs and constant chatter. These people were not following their seasonal ways
