"The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw" is a 1937 short story by American writer

Edgar Rice Burroughs Edgar Rice Burroughs (September 1, 1875 – March 19, 1950) was an American author, best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Best-known for creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter, ...

, about an unfrozen 50,000-year-old caveman. The story was originally printed in ''Argosy'' magazine, and later reprinted as one of three stories in the collection, '' Tales of Three Planets'' (Canaveral, 1964, 1974). The Argosy text, used for all versions published under this title, contained significant alterations by the magazine editor of Burroughs' original text. Burroughs' original version, "Elmer", was published in ''

Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder ''Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder'' is a collection of short stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs, edited by Patrick H. Adkins and illustrated by Danny Frolich. It was first published in hardcover in 2001 by Guidry & Adkins, a publishing partner ...

'' (Guidry & Adkins, 2001).

Plot summary

The story turns about an experimental

aviator An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...

and a

cryogenic In physics, cryogenics is the production and behaviour of materials at very low temperatures. The 13th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration (held in Washington DC in 1971) endorsed a universal definition of “cryogenics” and “cr ...

ist, who are flying over Siberia when forced to land, after an airplane mechanical failure. They survive the landing, and happen to find the body of a caveman, frozen into a newly uncovered glacier wall. Jokingly, the aviator suggests that the cryogenicist attempt to revive the man, which he proceeds to do, using transfusions and injections of drugs. The caveman proves to be intelligent, and immensely strong. His name is Kolani and he soon learns enough English to communicate. Returned to America, he is given the stage name of Jim Stone, after he proves to be a professional wrestling sensation who throws all contenders over the ropes, and into the crowd. Stone/Kolani eventually falls in love with a popular movie actress, who as it happens is a look-alike for his intended mate of long ago. In negotiating the ways of the new society of the 20th century, however, Kolani gives the opinion that modern women now act in nearly all ways like men, and he doesn't approve of any of it. After finding the actress, whom he has been romancing, with another man, he deliberately re-freezes himself in a meat locker, with a note that he is seeking his real mate, and not to thaw him out again.

External links

Edgar Rice Burroughs Summary Project Page for "The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw"Free Ebook of "The Resurrection of Jimber-Jaw" from Project Gutenberg Australia
Short stories by Edgar Rice Burroughs Science fiction short stories Prehistoric people in popular culture Cryonics in fiction American short stories Works originally published in Argosy (magazine) 1937 short stories {{1930s-sf-story-stub

Plot summary

See also

External links