Okvik culture

The Okvik culture, an early phase of the Old Bering Sea culture, existed in northern Alaska and northeastern Siberia. It is characterized by an art style featuring scroll-like patterns. The Okvik people utilized flint for tools, a distinctive choice compared to other Eskimo cultures that favored rubbed slate. Their artifacts showcase a high level of decoration, with both geometric and realistic designs, and their ivory and antler carvings of animals were finely crafted.12

The Inuit are Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and subarctic regions, with diverse subgroups and dialects across Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and Russia. Their traditional lifeways were adapted to the harsh Arctic environment, relying heavily on hunting seals, walruses, whales, caribou, seabirds, and fish for sustenance. They developed unique adaptations for survival, including tailored clothing from animal furs and specialized dwellings like igloos or semi-subterranean houses. While modern technologies have altered many traditions, efforts continue to preserve and revitalize Inuit culture.34