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American History

15 Brutal Ways People Survived the Alaskan Wilderness in the Early Days

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1. Building Shelter from Snow and Ice

alaskan inuit winter home 1900
Qasgiq entry in the Yupʼik village of Stebbins (Tapraq), 1900. Source: Wikipedia

Early Alaskan survivors often built igloos or dug snow caves to avoid freezing in the relentless cold. Snow’s insulating qualities allowed these shelters, crafted by Indigenous peoples such as the Inuit, to trap body heat and create a surprisingly warm refuge. Compared to wooden cabins, these structures could be erected quickly using only local materials. To discover more about traditional igloo construction and their effectiveness, visit the Canadian Museum of History.

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