Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 06:01

Frank and the team:

you are digging up ancient/past pieces/treasures , but also potentially parts of bodies, etc. -- when you are done studying them, how will the tribal people/locals put them to rest ?  I imagine there are cultural ceremonies/ways of honoring the dead, so what might some of these be?  Or will these "finds" end up on display for others to learn about and possible to study further?  In the museum, are things such as what you might find already on display?

It is a great gift to read and see what you are doing and seeing. Your journal entries are fun and educational.

Adventure on good friend and take lots of pictures,

Kimmer in NH

Frank Kelley

Hi Kimmer in NH, The work we are doing is turning up human remains, wooden objects, animal bones, metal pieces, and other miscellaneous stuff. Most of the material will be sorted, catalogued, used for further study, and then kept here in the community. There was a strong desire within the community to have all remains stay here, so I think a ceremony or service will happen in the fall.
I will try and learn more about Inupiat burial practices. I know there are some burial mounds in the area, I have not made it out to them but I hope to get there this week or at the latest this weekend. I will also ask some of the students we work with about that.
Hope summer is going well. I hope to visit your class this fall/ winter to share some of the wonders of the Arctic and archaeology. Have fun!!
Frank