Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-03
ALASKAN ANTIQUITIES.

From the New York Herald
1t has long been a favorite theory
with psychologists anxious TO account
for the settlement of this continent by
descendants Of Adam, that they were
waited across the Pacific Ocean from the
Kamschatkan shore to our new Terri
tory, Alaska, or that by a slower process
they passed from one side to another of
the Alestian group until eventually they
reached the New world Heretofore
the arguments advanced to support the
theory of the Asiatic colonization Of
America have been based on, if this did
not consist in the possibility, or, at most,
the probability of tribes OF individuals
reaching our shores in the manner de-
scribed. Stronger reasons, and of a
different kind, are required to give to
any theory on this subject ~ indubi-
table force. Reasons drawn from a sim
ilari:y" Of the races on each side of
Behring Straits. making allowance fol.
the changes produced by climate and
local causes-would be Of q strong char
acter. Arguments based on a resem-
blance of their language, or the fact that
their dialects could be traced to kindred
roOt would be even stronger. Inference
from similar habits, customs, and monu-
ments are also Of a kind that convey
with them overwhelming weight. In
applying reasons Of this kind TO the
theory Of the colonization Of Russian
America, q powerful disturbing element
in the argument ought not to be forgotten,
and that Is, that for o long period
Russian influence, especially Of a Siber-
ian character, had affected Alaska. Yet
this can not have been so powerful as to
account for all the resemblances which
enthusiasts in ~ethnology, philology, and
even archaeology, find in Eastern Asia
and Western America. What these are,
beyond mere speculation, hugely gen
eralized from small facts, it Is difficult
10 state exactly but the results OF in
vestigations in Alaska are destined to
throw not a little light on the vexed
questions occupying the attention Of
modern scholars. They viii demon
strate whether the Cuyiers Of American
archaeology have been far astray in con-
~structing a system from isolated facts.
Already the officers attached to the
United States military force occupying
Alaska have occupied their leisure to
advantage in collecting archaeological
specimens, aud ia some Of these %collee-
tions, sent home for examination, there
are numerous indications of the eharac-
ter and type Of the ancient Alaskans.
One Of the most interesting Of those is
that Of Capt. Fast, lately attached to the
engineer corps in Sitka. Capt. Fast,
while in Sitka, made the acquaintance
Of several medicine men, who showed
him many subjects Of great interest to
antiquarians. Stimulated by the sight
Of these treasures TO make further in
qUiries, he found that In many Of the
old families there were valuable heir
lOoms-such as armOrs, weapons, carved
spoons, idols, chaTms-and that in the
tombs Of the deceased there were num-
erous relics Of a ike importance. Were
they to be procured 1t was in Alaska
as it was near the Troad; the sacra a
flames oD'ri was quite as powerful, and
Its influence unlocked the treasures Of
Alaska and disclosed the secrets of its
tombs to the enterprise Of Capt. Fast.
Medicine men disposed Of the idols
charms that could evoke powerful
spirit; chiefs sold their heirlooms, their
arnOrs, and their heraldic shields
fer even IN Alaska there are coats Of
arms; ali classes united 10 pillaging the
tombs; though at an apparent risk Of
occupying one without much prepare
ton. Some chiefs hearing that q skull
would be bought al $50, forthwith, be-
fore remonstrance could be made, killed
q slave to procure his Uranium.
The treasures which Capt. Fast was
thus able to gather together are Of a
unique character. Those of a religious
nature consist Of idols, yariform and
hideous. Some Of them possess q
strange though distinct resemblance to
idols found in Western Asia. In one or
two there are plainly discernible traces
of that mysterious Phallie worship
which has IN various forms pervaded the
whole ancient world from the Pireus to
the far East. Objects used in domestic
life, such as spoons, carved out with a
certain degree Of taste-if the word is
apnlicable 30 the hideous forms which
are intended TO adorn them-haye also
been secured BY Capt. Fast. His col
lection Of arms, helmets, dresses, orna-
wsuts. utensils, is very large and inter
%est;no but a detailed description of them
= imnossible at present, owing to their
-.ss humber. A single glance, how
e,er i sufficient to show their archeO-
logical value. And tins IS not dlmin-
;sSed BY learning that the Alaskans
s,t.a have handed these objects down