Information about this part of the northwesternmost coast of Alaska
was obtained principally from Jim Allen, the trader at Wainwright, and
Charles Brower, the trader at Barrow; but parts of the coast were also
examined in person. The number of old sites is rather large, but it
appears that there is not much of special promise until we reach near
Barrow.
Old "igloos" southwest of Barrow: From 5 to 8 miles southwest of
Barrow and at some distance (up to about 400 yards) from the shore
there existed, and in part still exist, a series of elevations which
the natives of Barrow always regarded as natural. On excavation the
larger of these elevations proved to be old structures with numerous
burials and cultural objects, and the remains, as shown elsewhere, are
exceptional for this coast. Six of these "mounds" have been excavated
by the University of Pennsylvania Expedition (Van Valin), while
several are still remaining. It is very important that these should be
carefully excavated before they are attacked by the natives of Barrow
for mercenary purposes.