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After his find, Dad contacted Jenks and sent him the remains to study in 1934. Jenks determined the age of the Browns Valley Man to be about 10,000 years. That was quite a remarkable estimate in the less scientific time of 1934. In 1989, a fragment of bone sent to Auckland, New Zealand, for testing concluded that he was 9,160 years old. At that time, the Browns Valley Man was considered to be the oldest, most complete skeletal remains in the Western Hemisphere.

At my father’s request, the bones were returned to him in 1935. In 1950, Dad put them away “for safe keeping” in our home in preparation for a trip we were taking. As time went on, Dad was unable to locate his precious find, and he died in 1960 never having retrieved it. That may sound neglectful, but you’d have to understand the situation. My parents’ interests and hobbies in life were extensive and our home was much like a museum. When we found the bones again they were in very fine condition.

On June 24, 1987, the Browns Valley Man was delivered to the state archaeologist’s office at Hamline University in St. Paul. Later, the remains were placed at the Science Museum in St. Paul, and for many years they were studied by scientists from around the world.

The Browns Valley Man was repatriated to the Dakota tribe and reburied in 1999 on the reservation near Sisseton, South Dakota, along with approximately 1,200 other remains from around the United States. As it turns out, that location is not far from where the bones were originally found 66 years before.
Janet Jensen Presley (B.S. ’5 , M.A. ’77)
Edina, Minnesota

UNDERSTANDING SCIENCES’ MISSTEPS
Tim Brady’s “Primitive Thinking” is an informative presentation of Albert Jenks’s anthropological career. Jenks, caught up in the “racial” anthropometric movement of his time, published prominent conceptualizations regarding the races of the world— and especially the European races which sought emigration to the United States.

Nowadays, we decry the race conceptualizations so common in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Certainly these were vague, primitive, and poorly reasoned. But all sciences include primitive and later-discarded concepts in the course of the dialectic thesis/antithesis progressions in their discipline. Sciences grow in zigzag, topsy-turvy fashion—not a nicely logical, clear-line development.

Any worthy history of anthropology includes earlier concepts which now are perceived as invalid. But these remain as occurrences within the progressions of the discipline—whether now we like them not or reject them. Albert Jenks was a pioneer figure in the developing discipline of anthropology/cultural anthropology.

Thank you for your complete presentation of Jenks’s doings and ideas—metaphorically inclusive of his warts and all.
Leo Shatin
Retired professor of clinical psychiatry and psychology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Boca Raton, Florida

MISPLACED BLAME
I’m writing in response to a letter in the March–April edition written by Suzanne Montabon [“Illegal Immigrants’ Impact”]. She referenced an earlier article published in November–December 2007 titled “Immigration Conflagration” in which University of Minnesota history professor Donna Gabaccia was interviewed. I’m disappointed in Montabon’s failure to understand the information provided in the article.

Although numerous academic studies have disproved the myths associated with immigrants (i.e., “they steal jobs,” “they’re costing us money,” and “they’re criminals”), critics like Montabon continually seek to contribute to the cycle of discrimination, racism, and marginalization that have tainted the history of our country. Montabon demonstrates that our country is a “nation of victims,” since we continue to blame our problems on those individuals in our society who are the most vulnerable.

The issue of immigration, much like its solution, is not simple. I urge Montabon as well as other readers to read or reread “Immigration Conflagration.” It provides a balanced perspective and urges us all as educated individuals to think beyond stereotypes and generalizations.
Steven Renderos
Project Coordinator, Minnesotano Media
Empowerment Project
Department of Chicano Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

I’d like to respond to Suzanne Montabon’s letter in the March–April issue. I would like to know what impact illegal immigrants have had on your health, safety, and freedom? I think you are exaggerating and scapegoating. However, I’m sure most illegal immigrants would agree with you that the damage done to the environment near the border is unfortunate.

I’m also sure that most would rather apply for a visa, obtain a work permit, and arrive to the United States in an airplane, or car, as respected people. It’s unfortunate that our government has created a system that discriminates against working-class Mexicans. It is virtually impossible for them to obtain U.S. visas. This is why, when faced with poverty and hunger, they come walking across a desert, risking their lives, for the American Dream.

They are not favored by anyone. They are unfavored. They live as second-class citizens without, as you point out, much-desired identification and auto insurance. The vast majority do pay taxes. The vast majority will never collect a cent from social security or disability. Not all Mexican immigrants send all their money home. Many of them spend it here. Many of them have bought homes with the only loans they can get, with very high interest. They pay property taxes. They pay sales taxes. They pay income taxes. They are a part of our society and they contribute to this society.

Complaining about wheelchairs going to those in need? Do you think you should be favored? Just because you were born on the north side of an imaginary line?
Amanda Tallen (B.A. ’93)
St. Paul