The Punuk stage is a development of the Old Bering Sea stage, with distribution along the major Strait islands and along to shores of the Chukchi Peninsula.

The Punuk culture demonstrates a continual cultural sequence on the island from Old Bering Sea, to Punuk, to modern Eskimo culture.

Punuk is differentiated with Old Bering Sea through its artifact styles and house forms, as well as harpoon styles and whale hunting.

Punuk settlements are larger and more common than earlier villages.

They are subterranean, square or rectangular dwellings with wooden floors.

The house is held up by whale jaw-bones, and covered in skins, sod and then snow.

These house are nicely insulated, and are only visible to the occupants