The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-05-15
ANCIENT ALASKA

Because of its strategic location in Boring Sea, very the Old World, and offering logical step ping stone to the New, St Lawrence Island was no ooubt first settled by in the of his mi grafton eastward.
 Such are the words of Dr Otto William Geist, written by him and by Froelich C. Rainey, in their book Archaeological Excavation at Kukulik," an account of their efforts and in digging this long dead past from of frozen jumbled debris that dot the Island.
 Dr. E. w Nelson, during cruise of the Corwin in 1881 was the first to recognize the ethnoogcal and archaeological importance of this island. He gathered number of ivory and bone specimens there tor the United States National Museum that awoke scientists as to its possibilities
 Other expeditions followed but it has not been until now that any detailed account written concerning these activities. This book written by pr. Gest and MT Rainey may be had from the Super intendent of Documents at Washington, D. c.
 It is an interesting and most extensive account, beginning with Dr Geists first reconnaissance trip to the island in 1926, when he found such significant and impressive specimens of ivory seal harpoons and other objects, darkened with age that the following year President Charles E Bunnel of Alaska University personally financed another trip in 1927, Dr Geist giving his services without salary. In his account of this trip Dr. Geist tells much of the ancient and
 
 phy, and relates his difficulties gaining the con fidence of the Eskimo many of whom, despite their church and Sunday school attendance still cling to the ancient superstitions of their long forgotten cesors who Dr. Geist hoped to dig from their resting places for study.
 Again. in 1928 Dr Bunnen personally advanced the money for further exploration. Dr. Geist re- turned to St. Lawrence Island and, in order to expenses wintered there, getting acquainted with the Eskimo families and encouraging them to help him dig at the various sites old villages and mounds
 It was not until 1881 that Alaska University and the Territorial Legislature finally appropriated enough to finance test cut through the east mound at the ancient village of Kukuk that greater pro- gress was made.
 Dr. Geist points out the extreme difficulties en- tailing excavations in such climate. At most the working season but 72 days to three months and breaking through the eternally frozen ground was a slow and tedious task Experiments were made with steam and salt water thawing but it found too costly to furnish coal for such operations the na tural elements of wind and sun though infinitely slow. were found the best method.
 Finally in 1884 while in Washington D C.. Dr. Bunnell had the opportunity to bring the necessity for funds before interested officials with the result, that in recognition of the importance of this work arrangements made whereby the work at Kukulik could be carried Public Works project under the Bureau of Indian affairs, and Dr. Geist was ap- pointed Archaeoogist- Charge.
 The book is profusely illustrated with maps, drawings detail and descriptions of how this dig ging carried AS each layer of dirt moved they came upon houses. meat caches and ob- ects of greater succeeding age the last dating back to the Thule age Evoy article and all bones of ami mals and humans recovered throughout the eXcava- tons identified photographed and numbered so the "greenest novice understand it's po- sition and age when found
 Other contributors in the book are. besides pr. Gest and MT. Rainey Roland Snodgrass with Notes Geography and Geology of Western St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; Claus J Nitric with Notes the Mammals of St. Lawrence Island and two other sec tions relating to dog skulls and birds; report or Mollusks Excavated St Lawrence Island by H. J Geological Specimens by Paul Hopkins and Maurice l. Sharp
 Not only is the book intensely interesting, and we should think, invaluable in its field but it fills lls with admiration for who willing sacr- flee so much giving with thought of monetary return and oilng aborously and unselfishly that the world may perhaps become little better ac- ouanted with its ancient occupants and maybe, Incidentally settle the age-old controversy with all due respect to Lief Ericson and Columbus, of who really did discover America.