DNA Links 17 Living People to Man Found in Glacier

Here's a fascinating family tree! Scientists have found a direct link between the frozen remains of a man found in a glacier in northern British Columbia, Canada and 17 people living in British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. The news came at a symposium in Victoria this past weekend, focusiang on Kwaday Dan Ts'inchi', an aboriginal man whose remains were found in 1999 by hunters in Tatshenshini-Alsek Park, which is in the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.

Kwaday Dan Ts'inchi' means Long Ago Person Found, and he's believed to have died some time between the years 1670 and 1850. His remains were revealed after a glacier started to recede.

Since the discovery, scientists have been studying all facets of the man, including his clothes, tools, migratory patterns, even the contents of his stomach. But it's the DNA link to living people that has created the biggest stir.

While the work on the human DNA project has opened new doors and work will continue on establishing a fuller family tree, Long Ago Person Found's living relatives said they finally have the opportunity to give their "ancestor" a proper burial.

Of the 17 people linked through DNA, 15 self-identify with the Wolf Clan, meaning the young man was most likely Wolf as well.

You can read more in a story by Murray Langdon in the Globe and Mail at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080428.wbcfrozen28/BNStory/National/home.

Comment: Reporter Murray Langdon uses the words "ancestor" and "descendant" a bit too liberally in his article. There is no proven line of descent from this man. While he undoubtedly was a relative of the 17 living people, there is no documentation to prove that he was an ancestor.

Comments

[Dae Powell]

"Ancestor - descendant" tend to be misused by genealogists, too. I'll raise my guilty hand to that. Sometimes deadlines prevent writers from closely examining their words. And sometimes just laziness, as in my case.

But it is a fascinating study and that there are so many living relatives found is phenomenal. One more story for me to follow. NOW I know where the time goes! LOL

Happy Dae
http://www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com

[Pam Berger]

I am a constant reader and watcher of the news, but this is the first I've heard of the Canadian glacier body. It doesn't seem that he received the media splash that surrounded Alpine "Otzie," perhaps because the body was not as old? Both cases are absolutely fascinating, for sure. I hope to see photos, more articles, and something on public TV. I hope many more living descendants or cousins are found.

[Kathryn]

FYI, the article in the Globe and Mail is not free. The link above takes you to a summary, but for the full text you must pay.