The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
sIBEsTA,s FINE MUsEUMs.
Collections which schelars Frsm All over
the Werid Arc Glad to Examine.

SIBERTAS FINE MUSEUMS.
Ce,leettsgs which soAs,ars Frsm All over
tho Wsrid Arc Glad 70 Examine.
That Siberia should be one Of the rich
est countries in the world In anthropological
investigation and museums OF anthro-
pology may seem surprising. Leon Stern.
berg. who arrived from the Academy Of
Science at st. Petersburg few weeks
ago to take up employment in the depart
ment Of anthropology in tho American
Museum Of Natural History, spent term
Of political exile In Siberia and tells about
this phase OF Siberia.
There is scarcely town Of 10000 in
habitants," said he, (which has not we'll
housed museum Of anthropology under
the care of learned and competent oura-
tor; and some Of these small towns have
museums whose collections attract scholars
from all over the world.
-In the museum OF Tashkent there is
valuable material illustrating the civiliza-
ton Of the Greco-B actrian kingdom,
which followed the conquest Of Alexander.
The museum at Irkutsk some years ago
sent out a great expedition In which O
score Of political exiles spent three years
in northeastern Siberia, and for the first
time brought in an adequate account Of
the languages, culture religion and folk
lore of the tribes Of that region. Messrs.
Bogoras and Joohelson, afterward placed
in charge Of the Jesup expedition from
the American Museum, we're members OF
the Irkutsk museum expedition.
'In the little towns Of Nerchinsk and
Chetah there are excellent museums, both
founded by a political exile. He was
sentenced to hard labor.
AT the expiration Of his term he settled
In Nerohi1sk and took up the trade OF
photography. Although burdened with
the support Of great family, he managed
to collect very valuable material Of the
Stone Age and chronological collections frem
the surrounding Tunga and Mongolian
tribes.
But the richest museum in Siberia from
a scientific point CT view is that of Minusinsk.
Minusinsk is small town, but the museum
is housed in fine brick building and scien-
lists from the whole world 60 there to
see the collections illustrating the Bronze
Age and stones containing inscriptions in
the Monaghan and old Turkish dialects.
"The founder was Martyanov, drug
gist of Minusinsk He was educated in
university in Russia. where he came under
the influence OF distinguished anthro-
pologist Prof. Radlov. The latter in
spired him to return to his native town
and make anthropological collections Of
that region. and Martyanov founded the
museum now known throughout the scien-
tiffc world out of his own means and made
its chief collections himself.
All these museums are supported and
have been built up chiefly by private means,
and are the object of much pride on the
part of the local residents. The influence
Of the political exiles is responsible for
all this.
1.-THE e1iles have included many OF the
most intellectual people in Russia This
intellect had to find an outlet somewhere.
Around them lay vast untouched
field of such knowledge, in the life and
culture Of the native tribes. 1t was virgin
soil for the scientist, and it was perfectly
natural for them to take up the study with
ardor.
"Exiles separated from their kind. iso-
lated in remote villages, threw themselves
thusiasm of minds starving for mental
IdDNuuHh' AdtcI, PciHdPo, Vhcy ecltiou
in Siberian towns in money earning occu-
pations and were able to found museums.
Their children no more think Of leaving
Siberia than the children of immigrants
think of leaving the United States, The
people have greater wealth and greater
independence than in Russia. Therefore
their intellectual life is more active, and
from the nature Of their environment 1t
has taken the direction OF anthropology
All over Siberia are found rocks carved
with figures and inscriptions, thorough
comprehension Of which would undoubt
eddy add great deal to our knowledge OF
the past An international association for
the investigation Of central and eastern
Asia was organized three years ago for the
purpose OF making an exhaustive study
of these rock carvings
Mr.. Sternberg spent seven years in
exile in the sub-arctio island Of Sakhalin,
much of the time in little native village
In which he was the only white man. Like
other exiles. he devoted himself to the
study Of the language, culture. religion
and folklore Of these people.
Upon his return to Russia he became one
of the staff Of the Academy Of Science in
st. Petersburg, and from there was called
to the American Museum to assist In the
arrangement Of certain collections, and to
write book on the tribes OF Sakhalin
and the Amur River. This book will be
one OF those published in connection with
the North Pacific exploring expedition
seny out by Norris X. Jesup to trace the
connection between the tribes of the Ameri-
can and Asiatic coasts OF the north Pacific.
1t will tie illustrated with plates Of articles
collected in that expedition, and will proh-
ably occupy Mr. Sternberg two years in
the making.
Reason Of His Fear.