Skeleton of island castaway 'may be remains of famous aviator Amelia Earhart'
American researchers
believe a skeleton of a castaway on a remote Pacific island may be the
remains of Amelia Earhart, adding to speculation that the famous aviator did not crash in the ocean but landed safely on an atoll.
In a fresh attempt to solve the mystery of Earhart’s disappearance, the US-based International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery re-examined evidence of a partial skeleton found in 1940 on Nikumaroro, a tiny atoll that is part of the nation of Kiribati.
In a fresh attempt to solve the mystery of Earhart’s disappearance, the US-based International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery re-examined evidence of a partial skeleton found in 1940 on Nikumaroro, a tiny atoll that is part of the nation of Kiribati.
The skeleton was discovered three years after Earhart disappeared on July 2 1937, as she attempted to fly around the world.
Despite speculation in
1940 that the remains were those of Earhart, British authorities
rejected the claim after a doctor concluded that the bones were from a
male.
The bones were subsequently lost but the doctor’s files were uncovered in 1998 and included the skeletal measurements, which showed that the length of the forearm was larger than average.
The aircraft recovery group has now re-examined the doctor’s findings. It compared the ratio of the skeleton’s upper and lower arm bones to that from a clear photograph of Earhart standing in a short-sleeved top and concluded that the two ratios were “virtually identical”.
The bones were subsequently lost but the doctor’s files were uncovered in 1998 and included the skeletal measurements, which showed that the length of the forearm was larger than average.
The aircraft recovery group has now re-examined the doctor’s findings. It compared the ratio of the skeleton’s upper and lower arm bones to that from a clear photograph of Earhart standing in a short-sleeved top and concluded that the two ratios were “virtually identical”.
Jeff Glickman, a
forensic imaging specialist consulted by the group, examined the length
of two bones - the radius and humerus - in Earhart’s left arm and found
the ratio was 0.76.
This closely matched the ratio of 0.756 observed in the skeleton, a ratio that was longer than the average of 0.73 for women born in the late nineteenth century.
“Jeff found that Earhart’s humerus to radius ratio was 0.76 – virtually identical to the castaway’s,” the group said.
This closely matched the ratio of 0.756 observed in the skeleton, a ratio that was longer than the average of 0.73 for women born in the late nineteenth century.
“Jeff found that Earhart’s humerus to radius ratio was 0.76 – virtually identical to the castaway’s,” the group said.
“The match does not, of course, prove that the castaway was
Amelia Earhart but it is a significant new data point that tips the
scales further in that direction.”
The finding adds to speculation that Earhart landed safely on Nikumaroro, also known as Gardner Island, after running into plane trouble during her attempt to find Howland Island, southwest of Hawaii.
Accompanied by Fred Noonan, her navigator, she planned to fly to Hawaii before completing her journey in California.
The finding adds to speculation that Earhart landed safely on Nikumaroro, also known as Gardner Island, after running into plane trouble during her attempt to find Howland Island, southwest of Hawaii.
Accompanied by Fred Noonan, her navigator, she planned to fly to Hawaii before completing her journey in California.
Ric Gillespie, from the
aircraft recovery group, claimed in August that Earhart made more than
100 radio transmissions in the days after her plane vanished from the
radar, suggesting she was low on fuel but able to safely land. The calls
were picked up in Texas and in Australia.
“She’s out there calling for help,” Mr Gillespie said.
“People started hearing radio distress calls from the aeroplane and they were verified.”
Earhart’s disappearance has prompted searches across the Pacific and numerous conspiracy theories, including the claim that she survived and assumed a new identity.
“She’s out there calling for help,” Mr Gillespie said.
“People started hearing radio distress calls from the aeroplane and they were verified.”
Earhart’s disappearance has prompted searches across the Pacific and numerous conspiracy theories, including the claim that she survived and assumed a new identity.
New footage emerges of aviatrix Amelia Earhart before her doomed final flight
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