Recent breakthroughs in forensic science have led to the identification of human remains recovered from the ill-fated Franklin expedition. Researchers confirm that the remains belong to Captain James Fitzjames, who tragically has become the first known victim of cannibalism among the expedition’s crew.
The Franklin expedition, which set sail in 1845 under the command of Sir John Franklin, aimed to discover a navigable North-West Passage through the Arctic with 129 men aboard the HMS Terror and HMS Erebus. By 1848, Fitzjames had documented the crew’s grim decision to abandon the ships, as recorded in a stone cairn. Subsequent explorations uncovered skeletal remains across the Canadian Arctic, sparking ongoing investigations.
Utilizing advanced DNA and genealogical techniques, researchers, including Douglas Stenton, have managed to identify Fitzjames by comparing Y chromosome profiles from a tooth discovered on King William Island to cheek swabs from a direct descendant. This process highlights the complex interplay between modern science and historical genealogy.
Furthermore, the findings reveal Fitzjames as the first identified victim of cannibalism related to the expedition. Previous analyses had uncovered cut marks on various remains, with Fitzjames’s mandible showing multiple incisions, suggesting that desperate survivors resorted to consuming parts of his body and other crew members. This discovery powerfully illustrates the harrowing conditions faced by the Franklin sailors.
Moreover, the ongoing research underscores the significance of Indigenous Inuit accounts, which have been pivotal in uncovering the fate of the expedition. Inuit testimonies recount sightings of men dragging a ship’s boat on a sledge and discovering bodies with clear signs of cannibalism.
Topics:
