> One of the Yukon archaeologists with our branch is up
                >  at the glacier now, thawing him and his victim out, for a
quick trip to the
                >  freezer. More to come in future Nat'l Geo's, no doubt.

                Bruce, more details as they come in!

                Sign me,  Fudge Sicle

The latest:

There has been a major media feeding frenzy in the last week or so, to a
point where our archaeology office has had to close up. Even so, calls have
been made to staff at their own residences at all hours. The remains have
been removed to an undisclosed safe location where initial conservation
activities are taking place. The 3 hunters who made the original finds were
asked by the Champagne/Aishihik First Nation, upon whose traditional
territory the body was found, not to release pictures of the body itself, as
a form of respect. They are getting antsy about this, because they have
already been offered 5 figures by Der Spiegel for them. This was the first
offer, prior to any real bidding, so these lads are under some pressure.
They have spent days in front of TV cameras, and have already seen lucrative
rewards for having been so forthcoming.

Radiocarbon dates are expected in about 3 more weeks which will place things
in some perspective, but right now the guess is anywhere between 500 - 8000
years before present. There is some mystery about the status of the upper
torso and head, which hasn't shown up in the videos that have been taken,
but which may well have been found.

The whole process has been complicated by the fact that the find took place
in a BC provincial park, on a Yukon First Nation's traditional territory,
and the remains are in the Yukon. Only the Feds aren't involved yet, and I'm
sure they're itching to get in there. The First Nation elders have agreed to
full scientific investigations taking place to determine the age, origins
and cause of death of death, after which the remains will be returned to the
Yukon for burial. They understand that this will take a considerable period
of time.

One of the more compelling artifacts that has turned up is a beautiful
spruce root hat with complex designs woven into it that appears to be in
perfect condition.

For yet more, try: http://www.nationalpost.com/news.asp?f=990830/66435
<http://www.nationalpost.com/news.asp?f=990830/66435>