The tragedy at Kapp Thordsen, Spitsbergen, 1872–1873. Could lead poisoning have been the cause?

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Authors: Kjær, Kjell-G., Aasebø, Ulf, Hultgreen, Tora
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2009
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Kapp Thordsen; Polar Record; Spitsbergen
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247409008432; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247409008432

ABSTRACT A group of 17 Norwegian sealers died in Svenskhuset, the Swedish House at Kapp Thordsen, Spitsbergen during the winter and spring of 1872–1873. The Swedish House was built by a mining company, but was left deserted as there were poor prospects for mining in the area. The house was well stocked with food, fuel and hunting gear. The death of these men has been a mystery for 135 years although the usual interpretation has been that they died from scurvy. In an effort to challenge this historical diagnosis, the authors applied for permission to open the graves to sample the bone for lead analysis, and, if possible, to examine the skeletons for evidence of scurvy. This was granted. No objective signs of scurvy were found. The level of lead in bone, however, was very high, indicating that lead poisoning very probably played a part in the tragedy. This article reveals the historical facts behind the tragedy, the excavation of the sealers’ graves in 2008, and presents a discussion of the medical evidence.