ALASKA—Occasionally, field work discovers something other than intended data. This is what happened when a biologist recording water temperatures in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska discovered a completely intact wooden bow submerged in a few feet of water.

To help identify the bow, Katie Myers, museum curator for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, reached out to USDA Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry for a wood identification consultation.

Dr. Priscilla Morris, wood biomass and utilization coordinator with State and Private Forestry, Alaska Region, was able to make a preliminary identification given the history of the area, the history of bow-making, regional use of wood species and looking at three main sections of the wood. All three sections of the wood provide clues to the species type.

“After inspecting the artifact, I am leaning towards spruce. Using the hand lens there were certain anatomic characteristics that lead me to believe spruce is the most likely species,” said Morris.  “There is presence of sap along with a multitude of small knots. Birch is also a suspected species, but I did not see any anatomical characteristics that lead me to believe birch over spruce.”

At this point the age of the artifact is not known, but radiocarbon dating of the bow will occur and help uncover more details. Regardless of age, a skilled bower crafted the well-manufactured steam bent bow, which is apparent from the uniform curvature and lack of tool markings.

While the artifact was found in Dena’ina country, preliminary research indicates that the bow looks like ones that were collected ethnographically from the Yupik of Western Alaska. How the bow landed in this area remains a mystery; however, the National Park Service is just beginning to study this object. Whatever information is learned about the bow will help provide a glimpse into the lives of Alaska Natives and their intimate relationship with the land and its resources.