# How widespread was cannibalism in the last stage of the retreat? · Franklin expedition (HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) > Three answers have been proposed. It occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:28+00:00 --- **0** # How widespread was cannibalism in the last stage of the retreat? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZBR0PFJ/what-did-the-survivors-do-after-leaving-the-ships-in-april)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: it occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. It occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Rae's 1854 report of cannibalism was denied in Britain for a century; the bones confirmed it for at least one group⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JPJG4QSK/unravelling-the-franklin-mystery-inuit-testimony)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JN3M37TJ/the-final-days-of-the-franklin-expedition-new-skeletal). Its extent bears on how long the survivors lasted. ## Answers 3 [**It occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K7NC6YGS/it-occurred-among-the-last-survivors-at-a-few-sites-such-as) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**It was common along much of the retreat.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K8CT5F9W/it-was-common-along-much-of-the-retreat) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/answers/ANS0D59K8WE4EN3/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 1991[Woodman puts forward: it was common along much of the retreat.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JPJG4QSK/unravelling-the-franklin-mystery-inuit-testimony) 1. 1991[Woodman: inuit accounts describe mutilated bodies at more than one place.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JPJG4QSK/unravelling-the-franklin-mystery-inuit-testimony)For: It was common along much of the retreat. 1. 1997[Keenleyside et al. puts forward: it occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JN3M37TJ/the-final-days-of-the-franklin-expedition-new-skeletal) 1. 2016[Mays & Beattie: cut marks and pot polish on bones from Erebus Bay.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JNBE2B3V/evidence-for-end-stage-cannibalism-on-sir-john-franklins)For: It occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay. 1. 2024[Stenton et al.: fitzjames's mandible bears cut marks.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D59JKCY2VCH/identification-of-a-senior-officer-from-sir-john-franklins)For: It occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59K0363YTH/how-widespread-was-cannibalism-in-the-last-stage-of-the%23add-source) Where it fits Franklin expedition (HMS Erebus and HMS Terror) [**What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZBR0PFJ/what-did-the-survivors-do-after-leaving-the-ships-in-april)Key question · most likely some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard **How widespread was cannibalism in the last stage of the retreat?** You're here · it occurred among the last survivors at a few sites, such as Erebus Bay [When and how did Erebus and Terror sink?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZKJ4RQZ/when-and-how-did-erebus-and-terror-sink)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive [Who are the dead on King William Island?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/franklin-expedition/questions/QST0D59JZVC26S9/who-are-the-dead-on-king-william-island)Most likely · most can be identified by matching archaeological DNA to descendants traced by genealogy [ Ask a question under this one ]