These include four ribs, the atlas and two lumbar vertebræ. The first
rib approaches the semicircular in type and is rather large, indicating
a spacious chest. Otherwise there is nothing special.
A comparison of the long bones of this interesting skeleton with those
of the later Indians from the same and near-by localities as well as
with those of the western Eskimo (see table, p. 160) shows a number of
striking conditions. The length of the bones of the skeleton is far
above the mean of both those of Indians and the Eskimo, indicating a
stature of at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) higher. In none of their
characteristics are the bones near to those of the Eskimo, making it
doubly certain that the subject was not of that affiliation. Compared
with those of the later Indians of the same territory, the bones show
in one line remarkable differences, in another remarkable likenesses.
The differences concern all the relative proportions of the shafts--the
bones of the old skeleton give without exception indices that are
markedly lower; they are distinctly more platybrachic, platymeric,
and platycnaemic. But the more basic humero-femoral and radio-humeral
indices are practically the same; showing fundamental identity. The
humero-femoral index is especially important in this case. It is
exceptionally high in the Yukon Indians, due to a relatively long
humerus, and the same condition is seen in the old skeleton. It seems
safe, therefore, to conclude that the owner of the old skeleton was
not only an Indian but an Indian of the same physical stock from which
were derived the later Indians of the Yukon; but he was evidently of
an earlier and different tribe or of a purer derivation than those who
followed. To more fully establish and then trace this type, both as to
its derivation and extension, will be tasks of future importance.