78 Alaskan Science Conference 



their diffusion by the Neo-Aleuts, include single piece sockets 

 for sea otter harpoons, shallow stone lamps and the ground slate 

 ulu. Significantly, the single piece socket retains the dual ending 

 in its name. The objects found in the mummy caves correspond 

 to those found in the upper levels of the village sites. The 

 mummy caves in themselves constitute an excellent source of 

 information but none have as yet been scientifically excavated. 



Another basic problem is the location of lamellar flake in- 

 dustries similar to those found further north, as at Cape Den- 

 bigh. A core and blade industry existed in the Aleutians but 

 it is not yet known whether it preceded the Paleo-Aleuts or 

 was only part of their culture. 



In summary it may be pointed out that our knowledge of 

 Eskimo archaeology is meager for this area, but our knowledge 

 of Indian archaeology is even less. It is not sound to categorize 

 traits as Indian or Eskimo solely on the basis of their con- 

 temporary distribution. To understand the fundamental re- 

 lationship of the Indian and Eskimo cultures it is necessary 

 to know the history of each trait. Thus, many traits now 

 attributed to the Indians may eventually be found to have 

 diffused to them from the older Proto Aleut-Eskimo culture of 

 southern Alaska. 



Ethnology 



The ethnology of the Aleuts, Eskimos and Indians is poorly 

 known. For many of the villages there are only the remarks of 

 early European visitors. In a few cases the Russians have de- 

 scribed particular areas, for example Bishop Veniaminov's 

 excellent account of the Fox Island Aleuts. Unfortunately, 

 these sources have not been exploited owing in large part to 

 the absence of English translations. Though the cultures of 

 Bristol Bay, the south side of the Alaska Peninsula and the 

 Aleutian Islands appear to present a continuum in many re- 

 spects, accurate comparisons can not be made until the primary 

 information is secured. Of equal importance is the fact that 

 Eskimo-Indian comparisons can not be made, for even less is 

 known about many of the pertinent Indian cultures. Even for 



