Cross-Cultural Studies of Reincarnation Beliefs
Anthropologist Antonia Mills documented striking similarities in reincarnation cases among indigenous North American tribes and Asian cultures despite no historical contact. British Columbia’s Gitxsan tribe recognizes children with birthmarks matching deceased tribal members’ wounds. The Tlingit identify reincarnated ancestors through behavioral traits and specific birthmarks. These parallel beliefs emerged independently in cultures separated by oceans, suggesting either universal psychological patterns or potentially genuine phenomena.