Within American archaeology, there has been a long-standing interest in identifying the patterns of migration into North America. Associated with this concern is the investigation and comparison of maritime adapted cultures along the Pacific Rim from Japan to California. Previous investigations have emphasized the tracing of bifacial lithic traditions backward through time to potential sources of origin within Siberia or the Russian Far East. Until recently, such investigations have been limited by restricted direct access to the archaeological sites within these areas. With recent improvements in the political climate between Russia and the United States, field investigations into these questions can now be pursued directly. Consequently, primary research can now be initiated, allowing the possibility of tracing these cultural traditions from their origins and expanding our avenues of inquiry to encompass the total complexity represented in the archaeological record.