Mark Creech was no anthropology major. He did not share the excitement of Lawrence Klomfeld, his anthropology professor, over the tribe discovered living close to civilization yet without apparent contact with the modern world for quite many generations at least if at all. The Rigonatocki were very dangerous. When brought into Rigonatocki deer hunting grounds by a misinformed guide the Rigonatocki cut off Michael Levin's left foot. He had no intention of hunting deer, nor did he know for certain or care whether there were any deer about before he entered. Primitive justice can be harsh and less than perfect.
"It's still an important find," Klomfeld tried to argue, "a chance to see humanity living close to nature unfettered by modern notions that have perhaps become irrelevant if they ever were relevant."
"But the artifacts and the documents," asked Creech, "wouldn't those be fetters?"
"Such contact as there might have been with the modern world generations ago were probably unofficial and probably trivial. A German, perhaps a Nazi fleeing justice, who either spoke English well or was accompanied by a speaker of English left some little evidence, but not especially of contact. Perhaps the speaker of English was not an associate at all of the German. The Rigonatocki could have found the articles without ever meeting any representative of modern civilization.
Having had the advantage of excellent education so far in life Mark Creech was already familiar with the concept of the "noble savage" and the fascination such inspired in the "civilized" world, and how that world reconsidered its claim to civilization. Still he did not share Klomfeld's interests.
Not only were the Rigonatocki dangerous they were constantly at war with the Rigonatacki, a very similar tribe in every way except living a few miles distant in an obscure valley. It was a Rigonatacki guide who unwittingly cost Levin his foot.
The current major dispute between the neighboring tribes was over the baskets weaved by the Rigonatacki impinging on the Rigonatocki market. The Rigonatacki baskets were favored, probably because the reeds available to them were more suited to the task. Some of the Rigonatocki however believed their own workmanship must be worth far more and suspected foul play.
Creech wondered why a class in anthropology was required to get a degree in Criminal Justice. Perhaps Sgt. Korglis can answer that, he thought.