Kiska Alaska’s Underwater Battlefield: An Exploration of World War II-era Submerged Archaeological Sites

Abstract

This article details an exploratory remote-sensing survey to identify and document World War II-era submerged archaeological sites around Kiska Island, Alaska, underscoring their historical significance. The survey included 35 km2 of sidescan sonar coverage and 46 km2 of ship-based multibeam sonar survey. Data from the project provides a comprehensive inventory of submerged cultural resources associated with the Kiska Island National Historic Landmark. The plethora of World War II-era sites shows a rich, well-preserved maritime landscape akin to what has previously been noted in terrestrial surveys of the island.