Yttygran Island

Yttygran Island

The island of Yttygran is located in the Bering Sea, 24 kilometers to the northwest of Cape Chaplino, close to the coast of Chukotka. Today the island is a popular destination for eco-tourists. In the waters around Yttigran and the neighboring Arakamchechen Islands, Beluga Whales are common. Whale Bone Alley is located on the northern shore of the island. It consists of a large number of carefully arranged whale skulls, bones, and stones, as well as a considerable number of meat storage pits. It is believed that a number of different villages scattered along the eastern Chukotkan coast used Whale Bone Alley as a central shrine. The significance of Whale Bone Alley lies not only in its unique arrangement of whale remains but also in the insight it provides into the lives of the ancient Chukchi people who inhabited the region. The site is thought to date back to the 14th century, a period when the Chukchi were thriving as a whaling society. The meticulous arrangement of the whale bones and skulls suggests a deep reverence for these marine mammals, which were crucial to the Chukchi's survival. The meat storage pits found at Whale Bone Alley are particularly noteworthy, as they provide evidence of the Chukchi's clever use of natural resources. The pits, which are often several meters deep, were used to store whale meat and other food sources during the harsh Arctic winters. This innovative approach to food preservation allowed the Chukchi to thrive in one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth. Today, Whale Bone Alley is a protected site, and efforts are being made to preserve it for future generations.