It includes sixteen prehistoric mounds which have yielded evidence of very early Birnirk and Thule culture.

[3] Birnirk is located on the Alaska North Slope, near the settlement of Utqiagvik, on land owned by the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation since 1988.

The major period of occupation at this site was during what is now designated the Birnirk culture, between 500 and 900 CE.

Evidence was also found at one mound of occupation during the later Thule culture, which was generally active 1100-1400 CE.

[4] Also uncovered were fragments of wood making up elements of traditional seal-hunting umiaks.