Today we visit the Beringia Interpretive Center and the Museum of Transportation, both highly recommended and very informative.
We learn that just 20,000 years ago, during the last ice age, the ocean levels receded, and allowed many animals, mostly now extinct, to cross over from the Steppes (Grasslands) of Central Asia onto what we now call Alaska and the Yukon. Due to the prevailing jet steam at that time, much of Alaska and the Yukon was grassland, allowing many grazing animals to thrive. Hence, we had the giant Woolly Mammoth and giant sized beavers, and a host of others that you wouldn't want chasing you! We thought we'd spend less than an hour there, and stayed for 3 - 4 hours, it is that interesting!
The above pictures show Bob, with guide Peeter, trying his hand at an atlatl, a device which preceded the bow and arrow and allowed the user to achieve greater velocity that a dart. It worked!
These strange looking type of antelope survive in extreme cold temperatures thanks to their curved noses, which have chambers to warm the air prior to entering the lungs. Isn't nature smart!
One of the larger critters I was referring to. Now it's on to the transportation museum.
The above pictures are just the outside of the building. Now we go in, and find many, many interesting exhibits. Even today, paved roads are few and far between. Alternate methods of transportation are vital. Look at some of these older vehicles - fascinating!
For further information:
Beringia Interpretive Center
For further information:
Yukon Museum of Transportation
No comments:
Post a Comment