Guide to the William B. Workman papers
1963-2005
Collection number: HMC-1302.
Creator: Workman, William B.
Title: William B. Workman papers.
Dates: 1965-2005.
Volume of collection: 37 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: Alaskan archeological research and writing.
Biographical note:
William B. (Bill) Workman is an archeologist who has worked in a variety of Alaskan locations, primarily in southcentral Alaska. He received his PhD in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin. He worked as a professor of anthropology at Alaska Methodist University from 1969 to 1976 and at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 1977 on. Between 1970 and 1976 he was contracted by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company to do archeological surveys and expeditions along the proposed Trans-Alaska Pipeline route.
Collection description:
The collection is primarily comprised of Dr. Workman’s professional and academic records. The collection includes field notes, notes, correspondence, reports, writings, class notes, and project records.
Arrangement: Collection contents are arranged by project or document type.
Access restrictions: Because the collection contains potentially culturally and personally sensitive information, prior to access all researchers must sign an archives-provided form agreeing to abide by the American Anthropological Association’s Code of Ethics in using this collection http://ethics.americananthro.org/category/statement/. Please contact an archivist for further information.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: Rights to collection materials authored by Bill Workman have been transferred to the Archives.
Preferred citation: William B. Workman papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Acquisition note: The collection was given to the Archives by Bill Workman in 2018 and 2019. Additional material was donated to the Archives by Karen Workman and transferred from the UAA Department of Anthropology and Geography from 2020-2025.
Processing information: This collection was described by Arlene Schmuland in 2018-2019. An initial description of additions to the collection was completed in 2025 by Birgit Arroyo and Gwen Higgins.
Container list:
| Box | Description | Date |
| 1 | Fieldwork notes, notes, correspondence, and a typescript copy of the final report on the Trans-Alaska pipeline archeological survey. The collection also includes some correspondence, papers, and presentations including papers on the history of archeology in Alaska. Cultural Resource Management reports. | 1970-2005 |
| 2 | Article (peer) reviews, symposium discussion notes, report drafts, editorials. | 1965-1994 |
| 3 | Class notes for UAA Anthropology 260 (old world prehistory) and 326 (Arctic peoples) and professor emeritus file | 1980-2005 |
| 4 | Kodiak research part 1 | undated |
| 5 | Kodiak research part 2, correspondence part 1 | undated |
| 6 | Correspondence part 2, obituaries, editorials, Tlingit recording (reel to reel audiotape) | undated |
| 7 | Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula, Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound research. Yukon Island Prehistory Project 1987. | undated |
| 8 | Personal and professional correspondence, master thesis (Chirikof Island), and archeological writings | 1971-2002 |
| 9 | Frederica De Laguna correspondence, archeological writings including notes, drafts, and reviews: Port Moller, Alaska Archaeology, Gulf of Alaska, Kachemak, Kodiak, Koniaq, AST Tradition, Denbigh, Norton. Archaeological writings: Rat Indian Creeksite (1984) and de Laguna’s Contributions to Anthropology of Southcentral Alaska (2004). A copy of De Laguna’s 1930 field notes from Prince William Sound/Kachemak Bay. | 1976-2005 |
| 10 | Archeological writings: Gulf of Alaska, Kachemak Tradition, Riverine Kachemak, Port Graham. Senior thesis (Port Moller) and Port Moller fieldwork note cards. Cook Inlet/Kachemak Bay: Reports, course notes, field gear lists, lectures, C14 Dating. Homer Society of Natural History. AHRS site cards. | undated |
| 11 | Excavation photos and slides. Personal and professional correspondence 1995/96. Book: Nelson’s “Summer Sea Ice”. Master thesis F. Hadleigh-West: “The Netsi Kutchin: An Essay in Human Ecology” June 1963. Military, Fellowship and University documents. Field notebooks. | undated |
| 12 | Unpublished paper: Coastal Migration Hypothesis (1998?). Lab research and C14 data. AFO Inventory Archaeology Lab. Seminar organized by Workman (1993): Origin, Development and Spread of Prehistoric North Pacific – Bering Sea Maritime Cultures. Collection notes (non-Kachemak). BOREAS conference. Grant application 1982. Leave application (1973) for academic year 1974/75. Application NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship in Science (1975) for academic year 1976/77. Leave/sabbatical applications and reports for 1982/83 and 1988/89 and application for leave/sabbatical for 1993. Japan Archaeology and correspondence.
Microfilms and floppy disks. |
undated |
| 13 | Draft manuscript Karen Workman: Historical Summary for National Park Service. Memorial award Bill Workman. Photos and newspaper articles (professional and personal life). Conference notes. Interviewee contact information and reference notes. Japan correspondence. North Pacific Conference/Maritime Cultures Project 1995. Early Human Occupation 1999. Book reviews of Brian Fagan and Richard Nelson. CRM notes for Alyeska Pipeline Project (1976). Pipeline survey reports and other documents. Arctic bibliography (27 Aug 1991), references and sources. Archaeological reports from 1962 and 1965. Obituary W.S.Laughlin. Soviet carbon dates. Russian notes. Northeast Asian archaeology. Bibliography Northwest Coast Indians and Cook Inlet. Fieldwork notes. History of Alaska Archaeology to 1970. | undated |
| 14 | Karen Workman Consulting: Manuscripts and proposals for Bureau of Land Management ‘Project Archaeology: A Culture History of Alaska’. Education research: ‘Teaching Archaeology in Alaska’ documents. Karen Workman: Bibliographies and reports. | undated |
| 15 | Fieldwork notes: Chugachik Island, SEL-033, Excavations in 1977, 1981, and 1982. “Sampling vs Block Excavation at Two Recent Archaeological Sites on the Southern Kenai Peninsula, Alaska” by Karen & William Workman, SEL-033 and SEL-027. Bibliography of Cook Inlet Anthropology. | 1977-1982 |
| 16 | Correspondence 1972-2004. Letters of Recommendation 1985-95. | 1972-2004 |
| 17 | Excavation photographss and slides: Copper River 1975, Healy Lake 1970, Chugachik 1974, SE Alaska 1972. | 1970-75 |
| 18 | Archaeology: The Northern Northwest Coast, Aleutians, Ahtna, Athabascan, Yukon, Interior Alaska. Pleistocene. | undated |
| 19 | Karen Workman: Archaeology: Excavation on Seal Beach, SEL-079 (on Chugachik Island in Kachemak Bay, 1980-81). Report and report drafts Karen Workman and Janet Klein: China Poot and Peterson Bay Archaeological Survey 1991. Correspondence and field notes for China Poot, Peterson, and Neptune Bay (Karen Workman and Janet Klein). Draft copy of “A Guide to Dena’ina House Depressions at Kijik National Historic Landmark” by Anne Worthington (1995) and K. Workman critique of ‘Kijik Nomination for National Historic Landmark Status (1991). Notes on future archaeological work. Karen Workman: Bibliography; Board Member of the Cook Inlet Historical Society (1990). Consulting Karen Workman: Archaeological Assessment of Summit Lake Hydroelectric Project. Paper (first draft): Contact and Protohistory: A Baseline. Vita Karen Wood Workman. Notes Karen Workman. Floppy discs. | undated |
| 20 | Papers: 1. Beyond the Southern Frontier: The Norton Culture and the Western Kenai Peninsula. 2. First Dated Traces of Early Holocene Man in the Southwest Yukon Territory, Canada. 3. The Significance of Volcanism in the Prehistory of Subarctic Northwest North America. 4. The Cultural Significance of a Volcanic Ash which fell in the Upper Yukon Basin about 1400 years ago. 5. Continuity and Change in the Prehistoric Record from Southern Alaska. 6. The Eskimos and Aleuts. 7. Appendix: New Data on the Radiocarbon Chronology of the Kachemak Bay Sequence. 8. Far North. 9. Review of F. Hadleigh-West’s “The Archaeology of Beringia”. 10. Reflections on Northern Canadian Prehistory. 11. Archaeology and the Population History of the Great Bering Sea Area: A View from the Southern Threshold of Beringia.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill note cards listing artifacts recovered from Prince William Sound (ca. 1990). North Pacific Maritime Adaptations: Notes, correspondence, and papers. Brooks River Elder Hostel Talks: Prehistory of AK Peninsula, Prehistory of Alaskan Eskimos & Aleuts. Ugashik Narrows transparency slides. Port Moller: Drawings, field notes, papers, and illustrations dating back to the 1960s. Photographs Northern Alaskan pothunter artifacts, SEL-075, SEL-042, ca. 1981. Port Moller artifact photographs, College Collection, 1982. |
undated |
| 21 | Condolence cards for William Workman’s passing. Summary Vita W. Workman. Letters and cards from professional friends. Photos W. Workman. Workman Professional Life (written by Karen Workman). Bibliography Workman (compiled by Doug Veltre & David Yesner).
Takli Site artifacts, University of Oregon 1988-89 note cards. Three envelopes with photos / transparencies of Takli Site artifacts. Excavation note cards: Port Moller, Yukon Island, SEL-001 by De Laguna. |
undated |
| 22 | Alan Boraas and Donita Peter’s draft “The True Believer among the Kenai Peninsula Dena’ina” (Sep 4, 1993). Anthropology 250 course. Various Workman engagements (Spirit Camp, Library Advisory Committee, Alaska Historical Commission). IREX Soviet Working Conference 1981. Abashiri Symposium, Hokkaido, Japan, 1979, 1988, 1992, 2005. History of Anchorage Methodist College, Anchorage Community College and University of Alaska mergers. Workman Vita. Sabbatical Leave Report 1982/83 and 1994-1995. Workman assisted with drafting ‘ The Alaska Historic Preservation Act’. International Directory of Arctic Social Scientists: preliminary mailing list compiled by Ernest S. Burch.
Annual Activity Reports 1978, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-99, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004. Academic Year Reports 1982-1992. Workman Academic Year Reports 1982-1992. |
undated |
| 23 | Papers: Kachemak Prehistory (Yukon Island, Cottonwood Creek, Chugachik Island. Collection Catalogue of Artifacts (Alaska Methodist College). Takli Island Site, Lithic Artifact Illustrations. Paper: The Significance of Volcanism in the Prehistory of Subarctic Northwest North America (1977). Port Moller artifact photographs. Yukon Island Project (1977-78).Chugach Field School Correspondence (1977). Photos/negatives of Kachemak Bay artifacts (Fairbanks, 1982). Kachemak Bay Pre-history project. National Science Foundation Grant (1981). Port Moller / Okadas Symposium (Alaska Anthropological Association, April 2002). Coastal Migration paper/comments & reviews/bibliography/floppy disks: Reflections on the Utility of the Coastal Migration Hypothesis in Understanding the Peopling of the New World (2001). Note cards Russian archaeological terminology. Test Excavations at the Sylva Site, SEL-245 (1993). The Northern Northwest Coast (with comments from D. Reger 1996). Kachemak Bay and Gulf of Alaska (Kachemak Tradition / Koniaq). | undated |
| 24 | Collection inventories, AC Co, Kenai/Seldovia 1982. Notes and letters regarding Seal Beach, SEL-079, 1980. Wetherbee photo collection. Big Game hunting. Paper: Laki Eruption of 1783, tree rings, and disaster for northwest Alaska Inuit (Authors: G. Jacoby, Karen Workman, and R. D’Arrigo). Photo album: Travels /archaeologists. | undated |
| 25 | Archaeology field data Sheets and notes/artifact cards: Seal Beach, SEL-079. Bill and Karen Workman: Arctic File bibliography. Photo album: Japan (1976). | undated |
| 26 | Karen Workman: Anth of Cook Inlet (includes Vita and Career Path of Frederica De Laguna); Kijik notes on collection; Proposal to Conduct Archaeological Excavations at Point Woronzof (1984); An Archaeological Definition of Tanaina (1993) and The Tanaina, A Forgotten People: Archival Research for Illumination of an Historic Site Excavation: Seal Beach (SEL-079) in Kachemak Bay. Appointment to Historic Site Advisory Committee (1975). Consultant for Alaska Division of Parks (1971). Correspondence (1973+). K. Wood Workman Vita (2000). Claims for Reimbursement (1972-77). K. Workman: Archives Advisory Committee.
Kachemak Bay Anthology (spare papers): Chugach Island (SEL-033): Test Excavations at a Middle Kachemak Tradition Site in Kachemak Bay, Alaska (1974); The Second Season at Chugachik Island, SEL-033, Kachemak Bay, Alaska (1978); Alaskan Archaeology: A Bibliography (1974); Further Testing at the Fox Farm Site, SEL-041 (1979); Homer, Alaska, Small Boat Harbor Expansion Study, Final Report (1979). Archaeology in the Copper River Basin, paper by Gerald Clark (1975). Exxon Valdez: Review comments on the draft final report of the Exxon Valdez Cultural Resource Program: 1989 Investigations (1990). Alaska Heritage Resources Survey, AFG-026, Afognak Island (1989). Prince William Sound artifact descriptions (1990). |
undated |
| 27 | Diskettes, disks, floppy discs: Chugachik (SEL-033) and other work and teaching related materials and papers. Field notebooks. Photos. | undated |
| 28 | Alaska Native biographies, Alaska Historical Society, 1986. Extended biographies, Alaska Historical Society, 1986. Alaska Native biographies (Phyllis Fast – Natives in Compilations). Field Museum Collections/ Native Art of Alaska, Spring 1985, Section 1. Native Art of Alaska, Summer 1984, notes from readings, Section 2. Workman poetry and other writings. Box with notecards for Seal Beach, SEL-079, Kachemak Bay, descriptions of china sherds/fragments, 1981. | undated |
| 29 | Archaeological Investigations at Port Moller, Senior Honors Thesis (1963). Japan (1963). CF Thesis, Chirikof (1963). Prehistory of the Southern Kenai Peninsula (1974). Archaeological Investigation at Gulkana, Gul-077 (1976). Alaska Archaeological Association Talk: Some Urgent Needs in Alaska Archaeology (1985). Abashiri Conference Japan (2005). Significance of Dumond’s Alaska Peninsula work (2008). Unpublished paper (?): Archaeological Testing of an Ancient Ocean Bay Settlement, Aurora Lagoon in Kachemak Bay (1992). Notes Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. 1997 Profile Color Photos on Hand, SEL-027 (list, no actual photos). Workman Poetry. John Wesley White, 1868 U.S.R.S. Wayanda (Steamer) from UAF Archives. John Lobdell commemoration paper (2005). Tuktu Collection/artifact drawings. Kachemak Tradition – Burial Ceremonialism, Class 1995. Cultural Resource Management Study in Alaska (1985). 20th Abashiri Symposium Japan (2005). Chirikof Site. Thoughts on Ben Fitzhugh dissertation. The William Emanuel Collection Evaluation. Kachemak Bay Culture Sequence. Floppy disks: ‘Cook’ (draft) and ‘Beringia’ (1980). Kachemak Bay Anthropology Class (ANTH 371N 520). Alutiiq, Kenai College (1995). Lecture: Human Colonizations of the Cook Inlet Basin Before 3,000 Years Ago (1993). Dissertations, Gulf Monograph Notes. Unfinished book: Conclusion. Notes from Hawaii meeting (1993). Notes from Hawaii meeting (1993). Notes from Arctic Conference at Pocatello (2007).
Bibliographies, papers, presentations: Notes Spring 2002 bibliography. Can Faunal Analysis Separate the Middle Component from the Historic Tanana Component at Seal Beach, SEL-079, John Lobdell Memorial Session AAA (2005). Alaskan Archaeology 1971-2000: A Review of the Published Literature, AAA (2003). The Position of the Old Islander Phase (Chirikof Island, Alaska) in the Network of North Pacific Mid-Holocene Maritime Cultures (1984). Early Maritime Hunters in the North Pacific: The Old Islander Phase of Chirikof Island revisited (1984). 1996 Test Excavations at a Late Prehistoric Site at Port Graham, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (1996). NWC Chronology, major events only (1996). Bibliography of Cook Inlet Anthropology and Related Topics (1993). Archaeology of the Southern Kenai Peninsula (1993). 1992 Test Excavations at the Sylva Site, SEL-245: A Stratified Late Ocean Bay Occupation in Upper Kachemak Bay, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Human Colonizations of the Cook Inlet Basin Before 3000 Years Ago (1993). Strangers, Kinsmen and Enemies: Cultural Relationships Between the Peoples of the Outer Kenai Peninsula and the Kodiak Island Group Over the Last 3500 Years (1988). Life and Death in the First Millenium AD Gulf of Alaska Culture: The Kachemak Bay Tradition Ceremonial Complex (1991). The Last 1300 Years of Prehistory in Kachemak Bay: Where Later is Less. The History of Alaskan Archaeology through 1970: A Quasi-Quantified Approach, AAA (1987). Society for American Archaeology: Regional Conferences Summary Report (1986). Summary of the Human History of the Kachemak Bay Area with Reference to Proposed Work in Caribou Hills (1986). Archaeological Sites in Kachemak Bay (1985). Report of Archaeological Fieldwork at Yukon Island, Alaska, 1983: An Evaluation of the Main Site, SEL-001 (1985 Anchorage District Office, Bureau of Land Management). A New Preface to Kachemak Bay Prehistory: The Basal Component at SEL-033, Chugachik Island (1982). Ben Fitzhugh: Clams and the Kachemak: Seasonal Shellfish Use on Kodiak Island, Alaska, 1200-800 BP (1995). Comparative Chronology of Major Holocene Events About the North Pacific. The Southward Dispersal of the Arctic Small Tool Tradition: Dates and Data from the Kenai Peninsula, Southcentral Alaska (1996). |
undated |
| 30 | Correspondence: 2002-03, 2001-02, 2000-01, 1999-2000, 1998-99, 1997-98, 1996-97, 1995-96, 1994-95, 1993-94, 1992-93, 1991-92, 1990-91, 1989-90, 1988-89, 1987-88, 1986-87, 1985-86. | 1986-2003 |
| 31 | Japan: Memorabilia, photo album, correspondence, pictures.
Arctic Environmental Council: Report on the on-site visit to the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (1974). Workman poetry. |
undated |
| 32 | Notecards: Historic Kachemak Bay (Karen Workman). Maps. Floppy disks. Bibliography: Prehistoric Peoples of the Bering Sea (Kathryn Holland). ASTt photos. | undated |
| 33-37 | Collected articles and reports (includes some correspondence with authors) | undated |