In Alaska, a Home and a Grave 11,500 Years Old

Archaeologists working near Fairbanks, Alaska have uncovered the remains of a shallow pit house dating to 11,500 years ago. The floor of the house had been dug 11 inches (27 cm) into the ground and carefully leveled. The house had a central fire pit 18 inches (45 cm) deep, and soil flotation produced numerous small bones:

Remains of salmon, ptarmigan, ground squirrels, and other animals suggest the hearth was in use for weeks or months.

As well as the charcoal used to date the site.

Just before the site was abandoned, the house was turned into a grave. The body of a three-year-old child was laid in the central hearth pit and a fire was set over it. Numerous bone fragments were found, and the investigators hope to extract usable DNA. After the fire burned out, the pit was filled in and the other inhabitants of the house journeyed on, never camping in this spot again.