Alfred Henry Hopson Expedition Records

Following the expedition of William Van Valin to Barrow, Alaska (now Utqiagvik) in 1917-1919, and subsequent research by J. Alden Mason, curator of the American Section at the University Museum, and Aleš Hrdlička, curator of physical anthropology at the United States National Museum (now the Smithsonian), the University Museum initiated additional excavations near Point Barrow (Nuvuk). Hrdlička, who conducted his own research in Alaska in 1926, contacted Charles Brower, a trader in Barrow, regarding the mounds excavated by Van Valin. Brower cast doubt upon Van Valin's assertion that the mounds he uncovered were igloos, instead believing them to be burial mounds. Brower also expressed concern that the remaining mounds left untouched by Van Valin were at risk of looting by local Alaskans in search of curios to sell. Hrdlička forwarded this information to Mason, who initiated additional excavations on behalf of the Museum. The Museum initially asked Brower to conduct the excavations, but he declined and instead recommended his friend Alfred "Fred" Henry Hopson for the task. Hopson (b. 1860) was an English-born whaler and resident of Barrow. Hopson accepted the assignment and excavated several mounds in the vicinity of those previously excavated by Van Valin. Hopson primarily excavated at Nunavak, uncovering eight or nine burials. He also excavated three houses which were void of human remains.

The Hopson collection primarily contains correspondence with the Museum about the logistics of his investigations. Hopson's excavation notes, albeit limited, include annotations of his photographs and a sketch comparing tomb versus house layouts. There is also a Museum note concerning a shipment of Van Valin's artifacts along with Hopson's actual shipment list; because this note was originally found in the Van Valin archaeological inventory folder, it is possible that Hopson's collection is listed with the Van Valin material. This collection is divided into the following three series: Correspondence; Notes and Inventory; and Photos.

Correspondence

The Correspondence series primarily contains letters to and from J. Alden Mason concerning the logistics of the Hopson expedition. This series also includes letters from Hopson detailing his excavations and shipment of found materials.

Notes and Inventory

The Notes and Inventory series contains a drawing by Hopson of a grave and a house he excavated. This series also includes the original inventory of artifacts sent to the University Museum written by Hopson.

Photos

The Photos series contains photographs taken by Hopson during his excavations.

Publication Information: University of Pennsylvania: Penn Museum Archives,

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Van Valin Expedition Records

J. Alden Mason American Section Records