Book

The Eyak Indians of the Copper River Delta, Alaska

Levin & Munksgaard, E. Munksgaard • København • Published In 1938 • Pages:

By: Birket-Smith, Kaj, De Laguna, Frederica.

Abstract

This book draws on rich archeological data and oral information to reconstruct the history and culture of the Eyak. Topics examined include the territorial scope of their historical homeland, the specific locations of some of the major villages mentioned in the stories of informants, and a comparative analysis of house types, burial sites, hunting tools, and related material culture. Also discussed are the Eyak peoples’ historical relationship to neighboring groups, with particular focus on the regionally-dominant Tlingit and other “Eskimo” communities. The authors analyze features of Eyak mythology and social organization that reflect ethnic and linguistic ties to the Tlingit and other non-Athapaskan groups; for example, how the division of Eyak society into two moieties indicates Tlingit influence. A considerable portion of the text is devoted to a wide-ranging comparison traits, mainly showing ties to Northwest Coast cultures.

Region

North America

Sub Region

Arctic and Subarctic

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Types

Historian

Us Government Official

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Teferi Abate Adem ; 2017

Field Date

1930, 1933, 1935

Coverage Date

1883-1935

Coverage Place

Cordova and Copper River delta area, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States

Notes

by Kaj Birket-Smith and Frederica De Laguna

At head of title: Det Kgl. danske videnskabernes selskab. "Published with the support of the grants from the Rask-Ørsted Foundation and the Penrose Fund of the American Philosophical Society."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 573-591)

LCCN

a 40000353

LCSH

Eyak Indians

Indians of North America--Alaska

Copper River Region (Alaska)