Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi facts for kids

Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi, also known as the Canadian Ice Man, is a naturally mummified body. He was found in a melting glacier in Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. A group of hunters discovered him in 1999.

The name Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi means "Long Ago Person Found" in the Southern Tutchone language. Scientists used Radiocarbon dating to figure out his age. They found he lived between 300 and 550 years ago. His body was very well preserved, much like Ötzi the Iceman, an even older mummy found in Europe.

DNA testing showed that 17 people from the local Champagne and Aishihik First Nations are related to him. This discovery helped them feel a strong connection to their ancestors and the land.

Discovery of the Ice Man

Three sheep hunters, Bill Hanlon, Warren Ward, and Mike Roche, made an amazing discovery. On July 22, 1999, they were hunting near the Yukon border. They found some old items and a human body in a melting glacier.

The hunters were walking above the tree line when they saw unusual pieces of wood. They realized the wood had carvings, possibly from a backpack. As they looked closer with binoculars, Ward spotted the body in the ice. On August 16, they told the Yukon archaeology department about their find. They also handed over the items they had collected.

Before telling the public, archaeologists contacted the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. This area was their traditional land. The First Nations people visited the site and decided to name the person Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi. This means Long Ago Person Found. They supported scientific studies, including DNA analysis, to learn more about him.

About Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi

Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi's body was separated into pieces after he died. This likely happened because of the moving ice in the glacier. Scientists found his torso, left arm, and a mummified hand first. His lower body was found a few meters away. His head, right arm, and lower right leg were missing, but some hair and small bones were recovered.

His body is the oldest well-preserved human remains found in North America. Experts believe he was about 18 or 19 years old when he died. The exact cause of his death is not known. There were no signs of serious injury, so hypothermia (getting too cold) might have been the reason. He died around the start of the Little Ice Age.

Scientists studied the food in his stomach. They learned he had traveled about 100 km (62 mi) in the three days before he died. He traveled from the coast up into the mountains where he was found. Pollen in his stomach showed he was traveling in the summer.

Items Found with Him

Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi had several interesting items with him. He wore a robe made from 95 arctic ground squirrel pelts sewn together. He also had a woven hat made from spruce roots. A small beaver fur pouch contained lichen, mosses, and leaves.

He carried gaff poles (possibly walking sticks) and sticks for carrying salmon. There was a curved, hooked stick that might have been for catching marmots. He also had an iron-bladed knife with a gopher skin sheath. Another important tool was an atlatl and dart, used for hunting.

The discovery of Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi helped bring back old traditions. The Champagne and Aishihik people became more interested in making items from gopher skins. They also started workshops to teach spruce root weaving.

His Diet and Journey

Studies of his body tissue showed what he usually ate. His long-term diet mainly included shellfish and salmon. This suggests he came from a community near the Pacific Ocean coast. However, hair samples showed that in the months before his death, he ate more meat. This means he spent some time away from the coast.

His stomach contents included beach asparagus, a plant found near the ocean. He was also carrying salmon and shellfish. This suggests he had recently been back at the coast. He was likely traveling back inland towards the Tatshenshini River when he died.

The First Nations tribes allowed scientists to take samples, including DNA. After the studies, they decided to have his remains cremated. His ashes were scattered over the area where he was found. Local clans are planning a special ceremony called a potlatch to honor this ancient man.

DNA Connections

In 2000, scientists performed mitochondrial DNA tests. They tested 241 volunteers from the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. The results showed that 17 living people are directly related to Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi through their mother's side of the family.

Among these relatives were Sheila Clark and Pearl Callaghan, two of seven sisters. Sheila Clark said finding out they were related to the "Long Ago Man" was "extremely moving." Fifteen of the 17 relatives belong to the Wolf clan. This suggests Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi might have been part of the Wolf clan too. In their matrilineal system, children belong to their mother's clan. The relatives lived in both coastal and inland areas, showing the historical spread of their people.

Scientists have shared some of Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi's DNA information. It is available in a public database called GenBank.

Learning from the Find

The discovery and studies of Kwäday Dän Tsʼìnchi created a lot of interest. In June 2005, scientists held a conference at Yukon College. They discussed the findings and how quickly the landscape was changing. This helped people learn more about ancient life and the environment.