360 



ANTHROPOLOGICAL SURVEY IN ALASKA 



1BTH. ANX. 46 



An origin of the Eskimo in Europe, during the last glacial inva- 

 sion, would not only push into the hazy far past the same changes as 

 here dealt -with, but it would at the same time fail to explain the 

 physical differences within the Eskimo group, and deny any sub- 

 stantial changes in him during the long time of his migration 

 toward the American northern coasts. 



Absolute proofs of the origin of the Eskimo, as of that of the 

 various strains of the Indians, are hardly to be expected. Such ori- 

 gins are so gradual and insidious that they would escape detection 

 even if watched for while occurring; they are noticed only after suf- 



FlGDBB 129. — Probable movements of people from northeastern Asia to Alaska and in 



Alaska. (A. Hrdlioka) 



ficient differences have developed and become established, which takes 

 generations. The solving of racial origins must depend on sound 

 scientific induction. 



Such induction may not yet be fully possible in the case of the 

 Eskimo. The evidence is not yet complete. But with the present 

 and other most recent data there is enough on hand for substantial 

 indications. The evidence shows that barring some irregularities, 

 clue possibly to later intrusions or refluxes, the farther cast in the 

 Eskimo territory the observer proceeds the more highly differentiated 

 and divergent the Eskimo becomes, and there is a greater gap 



