Early collections from the Pacific Eskimo

Birket-Smith, Kaj

essay

Early collections from the Pacific Eskimo

Ethnographical studies, published on the occasion of the centenary of the Ethnographical Deparment, National Museum • København • Published In 1941 • Pages: ix, 261

By: Birket-Smith, Kaj.

Abstract
This monograph presents full descriptions of Pacific Eskimo artifacts in the collections of the National Museum in Copenhagen. Most of the material was collected in 1851 by Henrik Johan Holmberg (a Finnish naturalist) although some materials may be of an earlier date. (i.e., most of the stone implements are said to have been taken from graves). The bulk of the collection id from Kodiak Island, but some items from the Aglemiut Eskimo and others of more doubtful provenience are included. Artifacts described include: clothing, ornaments, hunting weapons, boats, miscellaneous tools and containers, and some sculpted pieces. The artifacts and their style of manufacture are fully described. There is very little information on social life. Bibliographic references will be found in the footnotes at the end of the text.