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The Franklin Relics
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The Franklin Relics
Relics of the Franklin Expedition, recovered by Dr John Rae. Date: 1854
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Media ID 14369509
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Franklin Raes Recovered Relics
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph showcases The Franklin Relics, a significant collection of artifacts recovered from the ill-fated Franklin Expedition of 1845. The expedition, led by Sir John Franklin, aimed to discover the Northwest Passage but ultimately ended in tragedy, with all members of the expedition presumed lost. Dr. John Rae, a Scottish surgeon and Arctic explorer, made the groundbreaking discovery of the relics in 1854, near Starvation Lake in the Canadian Arctic. The items, which include human bones, clothing, and various tools, provided crucial evidence of the fate of the Franklin Expedition and shed light on the harsh realities of life in the Arctic. Rae's discovery was a turning point in Arctic exploration, as it challenged the popular belief that the members of the Franklin Expedition had perished from scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C in their diet. Instead, Rae's findings suggested that the crew had resorted to cannibalism in their desperate attempts to survive. This photograph, taken in the mid-1800s, captures the solemn and poignant scene of these relics, which continue to be a reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of exploration and discovery. The Franklin Relics are now housed in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, where they serve as a powerful reminder of the human spirit and the enduring allure of the Arctic.
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