The skeletal remains of a 9,000-year-old Paleoamerican man will soon receive a proper Native American burial. After thorough DNA testing, US archaeologists concluded that the most complete set of bones ever to be discovered in North America belonged to a man who is the ancestor of five modern-day Native American tribes.
Kennewick Man Definitely Of Native American Origin
The Northwestern Division of the US Army Corps of Engineers, who has kept custody of the Kennewick Man for years, recently shared to US News that the skeletal remains will soon be returned to its proper tribe. It will then be reburied as per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.
Brig. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, the corps' commander, feels confident about the result of the study. The Kennewick Man's Native American origin has convincingly put a stop to the lengthy legal battle between scientists and tribes over whether to study the skeletal remains or have it reburied.
"Obviously, we are hearing an acknowledgment from the Corps of what we have been saying for 20 years," Yakama Nation chairperson JoDe Goudy told The Seattle Times. "Now we want to collectively do what is right, and bring our relative back for reburial."
Corps Now Entertaining Claimants
For the time being, the Kennewick Man will be kept at the Burke Museum in Seattle until authorities determine the right tribe to bury the skeletal remains. Michael Coffey, a spokesperson for the corps, said Native American tribes who want to stake their claim to the Kennewick Man must submit a formal request to the US Army Corps of Engineers in Portland, Oregon.
Coffey admitted that determining the rightful tribe won't be an easy task. Each claim will have to undergo a lengthy process of verification and deliberation. Some of the tribes that could obtain the Kennewick Man are the Yakama, Nez Perce, Colville, Wanapum and Umantilla Indians.
