Inupiat Heritage Center

Guest

What was the most interesting exhibit when you when to see the Inupiat Heritage Center?

Guest

What is the first image posted of the Inupiat Heritage Center, is it some type of jaw.

Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 74 Location: Barrow, AK

Hey, Brennan!
Sorry for not identifying the jaw in the first photo! It is the skull of a bowhead whale. There are skulls and other bones of bowhead whales everywhere in Barrow, especially up and down the beach and further toward the Point. Apparently, they don't deteriorate very fast so they tend to collect. The Inupiat hunt about 10-15 whales per year. In fact, in the past, whale bones like jaws and ribs were used as supports for their sod houses (since there are no trees!). The Inupiat used (and still do use) nearly every part of the whale for food, tools and building materials.

The most interesting things that I saw at the Heritage Center was the whaling exhibit, because it had a lot of historical information about whaling, both commercial and by Native Peoples, and the exhibit of preserved birds. I hadn't realized how BIG some of the birds were, especially the Snowy Owls and other raptors!
Mrs. N-O