The Testimony of Hands

75.35.293a, b

Location of Walakpa Site

75.35.293a, b, seal scratchers of wood
Middle Birnirk culture (A.D. 700–800)
Walakpa Site, Alaska
UNM research collections (depositor: Dennis Stanford)
Photograph by B. Bernard


Native Artic hunters out on the ice use these tools replicate the sound seals make as they scratch the ice. Seals are drawn within range by the sound. The photo below shows the same two tools.

75.35.293a, b
Photo by B. Bernard

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