Dawson bodies to be ID'd by archeologists

Yukon archaeologists are hopeful they can identify the three bodies found at a Dawson City excavation last week.

They believe that the remains are those of criminals executed during the Gold Rush, and then buried near the location of the historic North West Mounted Police detachment in Dawson City.

Yukon senior archaeologist Greg Hare said his team already has a good start because Dawson's executions were well documented.

"We know the names of 10 or 11 individuals who were presumably buried within the compound. So it's a process of elimination as much as anything else," he said.

Contents buried with the individuals could offer clues. And he said the skeletons are so well preserved  that even their teeth can tell a lot about each individual. 

For example, dental work would suggest that they weren't a First Nations person.

A physical anthropologist from the Carcross Tagish First Nation will assist with the preliminary work next week. But the archaeologists can call on other scientific help if it's needed.

The bodies remain in safe storage in Dawson City.

Dawson residents will have a say in the re-interment of the remains, Hare said.