being smaller chambers that led to a large central area through the use of passageways. Food storage was critical in order to keep starvation at bay; such storage consisted of dried roots and berries, fish, and whales. The use of fire for cooking and warmth is apparent due to the presence and common occurrence of large and small oil lamps along with charred griddle stones (which aided in heating and cooking food) on archaeological sites. Mammal oil was the fuel of choice due to the lack of a constant supply of wood on the Aleutian Islands. The Islands were treeless with the exemption of the farthest eastern end. Climate It becomes apparent while reading the previous section that climate was a major defining factor within the Aleutian tradition. On the Aleutian Islands themselves people were subject to volcanic eruptions (there are at least 26 volcanoes present across the island chain), tremors, tsunamis, fog, and wind that caused constraints regarding settlement, travel, and hunting. Considering that climatic factors were completely governed by the sea; the Islands temperatures ranged from about ten degrees (Celsius) during the summer months and around zero (Celsius) degrees during winter. Winds ranged from 25 to 35 kilometres per hour with 100 to 120 centimetres of rain per year. Fog was present, especially in July and August. Hypothermia and poor visibility are a result from this climate type. High marine productivity was evident due to nutrient upwelling. This can be considered a factor that worked towards such high population settlements. It is also important to remember that climatic conditions and natural events were not universal throughout the Island chain and if a disaster occurred it did not affect the entire population within this Tradition. Archaeological sites The warm and volcanically dry conditions within the Aleutian Caves provided exceptional preservation conditions of archaeological remains. Considering that dry areas prevent decay from water and destructive microorganisms are unable to flourish, “skin, hair, and nails can remain intact without any artificial mummification." As such, the dead were naturally preserved. People could have also contributed to preservation by periodically drying the bodies by wiping and suspension over a fire, and in some cases the internal organs were removed and the body cavity was filled with dry grass. Anangula site The earliest known occupation of the Aleutian Islands appears to be reflected on the Anangula site. This site contained a strong prominence of