A Recent Journey to Northern Labrador - 03 by GATHORNE-HARDY, G.M - 1922

Labrador: Royal Geographical Society, 1922. Title: A Recent Journey to Northern Labrador. Author: G. M. Gathorne-Hardy Publisher: London: Edward Stanford, Royal Geographical Society, 1922. Item is in Original Condition, with Blue Wrappers - As Issued, Complete with All the Ads! Notes & Condition: An important account, this represents the first recorded discussion on Labrador's ancient multi-tiered rectangular stone structures, which at the time were known to few very people and had no certain historical connection. Some 62 years after this discussion and the author's first observations, his theories of their makers were finally scientifically confirmed, the formations now being known to have been built by prehistoric Thule Neo-Eskimo people. To resolve this archaeological question which they themselves drew attention to for the first time, the Gathorne-Hardy cousins, Geoffrey a Norse expert, and Robert a young enthusiast of archaeology, ventured together to Sculpin Island in the Nain region of Newfoundland to investigate firsthand. They proposed that the stone structures were either built by the Norse or by Norse-influenced Inuit, and would return for further digging and investigation in 1932. The Gathorne-Hardys' notable work piqued the interest of others who subsequently investigated the relics, Tanner in 1941, Wenner in 1947, and Matthews in 1971 who believed that construction was most likely effected by Inuit who had been influenced by the 16th century European visitors. Not until 1984 was the long-standing question finally answered, when a number of sites between Hamilton Inlet and Okak containing multi-tiered and single tiered rectangular stone structures, and also individual structures, were mapped, tested and excavated. Drilled slate and nephrite endblades, and tool fragments indicated that the rectangular structures were built and occupied by prehistoric Neoeskim groups. Sod house villages dating to the precontact and early contact Neoeskimo period were also visited by Kaplan. Two sod house forms probably in use between the lst and 17th centuries were identified and chalcoal sanples from the structures are being dated. 8vo. 17 pages including two sketch maps, plus photographic plates for illustration. Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. Excerpt from the text: "... keenly interested in archaeology, it was an archaeological problem which I proposed primarily to investigate... there are very few who have seen it at all, and fewer still to whom it can be said to be at all well known." "... To give an idea of the inaccessibility even of such a place as Nain, I may mention the experience of a Newfoundland canoeman, who accompanied Mr. Hesketh Prichard and myself in 1910...." "... With Eskimo remains, however I was only indirectly concerned, as something likely to throw light on the main problem which I was anxious to investigate. This was that of the Tunnit, an extinct race, said to be of non-Eskimo origin, remains of whose stone buildings were alleged to exist on various islands off the Labrador Coast..." "... I did not myself believe that these ruins could have anything to do with the earliest voyages described in the sagas, but... when the Greenland colony fell on evil times, as it did before its final extinction in the early fifteenth century, some venturous spirits might have tried to find a more desirable home in the lands discovered by their predecessors." "... On adjacent highlands we found the graves... Perhaps a richer mine for objects... found in the turf walls and floors of old houses... Robert... discovered a good many old stone weapons...the ground was plentifully littered with flakes... several implements... things not typical of the local culture... also unusual implements of bone and walrus ivory..." End Excerpt. Geoffrey Malcolm Gathorne-Hardy (1878-1972) was an English soldier, writer and Norse specialist. He fought in the Boer War, losing a finger. Called to the Bar in 1903, he was in Norway in 1905, when the country gained independence, and he learned Norwegian as well as some Danish and Icelandic. In 1910 he travelled with H. Hesketh Prichard from Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador to Indian House Lake on George River, and contributed a chapter on fishing to Prichard's Through Trackless Labrador (1911). In 1920, he made a second journey to northern Labrador, this time with his cousin Robert Gathorne-Hardy, which is described in the present volume. During the First World War he had a foot amputated, was mentioned in despatches, and awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium). From 1921 to 1966 he wrote and published several books. Robert "Bob" Gathorne-Hardy (1902-1973) was an English garden writer. Though he also wrote fiction (Lacebury Manor, Other Seas) and some bibliographical works, he is best known for his books on plants that he researched while growing in his garden, or about plants that he collected in different parts of the world. He also had a keen interest and knowledge of archaeology, which was the reason for accompanying his cousin Geoffrey on the expedition to northern Labrador in 1920. Sculpin Island is an island in Newfoundland and Labrador, situated between Badger's Quay and Pool's Island. . Very Good.