(A. H. coll., 1926.)]
[Illustration: FIGURE 2.--The Yukon from Tanana to below Kokrines]
[Illustration: FIGURE 3.--The Yukon from below Kokrines to below
Koyukuk]
The dead village sites are much alike along the whole river. They are
generally located at the mouth, of some inland stream that carries
clear fresh water, particularly if on the other side there is the
protection of a hill. The dwellings were invariably on a flat and were
throughout semisubterranean and of the same general type; which applies
also to the larger communal houses or "cashims." The sites can often be
told from afar in summer by the rich grass that covers them.
[Illustration: FIGURE 4.--The Yukon from below Koyukuk to Lofkas]
The burials were as a rule not far from a village and preferably on
the slopes of the nearest hill. They were mostly above ground, but
under the influence of Russians there were also shallow-ground burials.
The latter can readily be told by the sawed planks of the coffins and
the iron nails by which they are fastened. In many places no surface
burials remain or there are mere traces. In such, places little mounds
may betray old burials assimilated by the tundra. Trenching in likely
spots would doubtless reveal others of which no trace remains on the
surface.
[Illustration: FIGURE 5.--Old map of the Nulato district]
No excavations of any of these sites have ever been attempted, but many
of the surface burials were disturbed or destroyed by seekers of relics
and the curious vandal, who is present on the Yukon as in other parts
of the country.
[Illustration: FIGURE 6.--Map of Kaltag and vicinity. (By McLeod)]
The maps shown here were made under my direction on the basis of
maps and charts provided by the Geological and Geodetic Surveys, in
Washington. Additional old sites will doubtless be located in the
future and may be added to these records.