By asahifile 
Analyzing the Tragic Fate of the Franklin Expedition: New Genetic Insights into Cannibalism Among Survivors
Recent research from the University of Waterloo has shone a new light on the harrowing fate of the Franklin Expedition, an ill-fated Arctic journey that took place in 1846. Scientists conducting DNA analysis have confirmed the identity of one of the expedition’s crew members, Captain James Fitzjames of the HMS Erebus, who appears to have been cannibalized by his fellow sailors in a desperate bid for survival.
In a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, researchers analyzed a tooth extracted from a mandible recovered at one of the expedition’s archaeological sites. The findings corroborate historical Inuit accounts that suggested survivors resorted to cannibalism as their situation became increasingly dire.
The authors of the paper emphasized that this identification not only personalizes the tragedy by revealing the fate of Fitzjames but also underscores the desperate conditions faced by all expedition members. They noted, “Concrete evidence of James Fitzjames as the first identified victim of cannibalism lifts the veil of anonymity that for 170 years spared the families of individual members of the 1845 Franklin expedition from the horrific reality of what might have befallen their ancestor.”
The Franklin Expedition was tasked with traversing the Northwest Passage but ultimately became trapped in ice in the Victoria Strait. All 129 crew members perished, their fate a mystery that has captivated historians and the public alike. While the immediate fate of some members was known—three crew members were found buried on Beechey Island—the complete story remained obscured for decades.
Fitzjames’s leadership following the death of Captain Franklin in 1847 is noted, with evidence suggesting he continued to lead a group of survivors until their deaths in the brutal Arctic conditions. The expedition’s demise was compounded by extreme weather and dwindling supplies, leading to a tragic end that has inspired countless tales, including Dan Simmons’ fictional work, The Terror.
As the researchers analyzed 46 archaeological samples linked to the expedition, they aimed to compare them with DNA from 25 living descendants. Initially identifying chief engineer John Gregory in 2021, their efforts now include Fitzjames, confirmed to have died in mid-1848.
This study builds upon previous work that suggested cannibalism may have occurred among survivors—a claim dismissed by European observers in the 19th century due to cultural biases. The evidence of cut marks on bones from the NgLj-2 site corroborated earlier findings from bioarchaeologist Anne Keenleyside.
One key takeaway from this research is the understanding that societal norms, such as rank, collapsed in the face of survival. As Douglas Stenton, an anthropologist involved in the study, stated, “neither rank nor status was the governing principle in the final desperate days of the expedition.”
The findings serve as a poignant reminder of the desperation faced by the Franklin sailors, urging a compassionate recognition of the extreme conditions they endured. The revelation of cannibalism in the context of survival portrays not just a historical curiosity, but a reflection on human behavior under extreme duress.
For further reading, refer to the Journal of Archaeological Science, DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2024.104748.