Abstract

I was asked to investigate, for repatriation purposes, the presumed British Columbia aboriginal identity of two mummies from the Niagara Falls Museum. Apparently naturally preserved, they likely originated from the west coast of Vancouver Island. My identifying criteria included evidence for head shaping, comparative skeletal facial morphology, and the presence of skin impressions from woven cedar. Published worldwide surveys of mummies do not include British Columbia, but mummies are known from both Island and mainland sites, and appear in Northwest Coast ethnographic accounts. Burial associations, as known historically, may have encouraged mummification. Cedar, used for wrappings, coffins and charnel houses, contains natural preservatives, and wool blankets, in which bodies often were shrouded, have a high moisture absorbency rate. My analysis was completed with the assistance and cooperation of Golden Chariot Productions, the Canadian Conservation Institute, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Royal B.C. Museum, and First Nations Summit of British Columbia.