KENNEWICK MAN
Kennewick Man is the name for the skeletal remains of a prehistoric man found on
a bank of the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, USA on July 28, 1996.
The discovery of Kennewick Man was accidental: a pair of spectators (Will Thomas
and David Deacy) found his skull while attending the annual hydroplane races.
The remains became embroiled in debates about the relationship between Native
American religious rights, archaeology and other interested stakeholders.
Based on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA),
five Native American groups (the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakama, Wannapum, and
Colville) claimed the remains as theirs, to be buried by traditional means. Only
Umatillas continued further court proceeding. In February 2004, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a cultural link between
the tribes and the skeleton was not met, allowing scientific study of the
remains to continue.
In July 2005, a team of scientists from around the United States convened in
Seattle for ten days to study the remains, making many detailed measurements,
and determined the cause of death.
Kennewick Man is the name for the skeletal remains of a prehistoric man found on
a bank of the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, USA on July 28, 1996.
The discovery of Kennewick Man was accidental: a pair of spectators (Will Thomas
and David Deacy) found his skull while attending the annual hydroplane races.
The remains became embroiled in debates about the relationship between Native
American religious rights, archaeology and other interested stakeholders.
Based on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA),
five Native American groups (the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakama, Wannapum, and
Colville) claimed the remains as theirs, to be buried by traditional means. Only
Umatillas continued further court proceeding. In February 2004, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that a cultural link between
the tribes and the skeleton was not met, allowing scientific study of the
remains to continue.
In July 2005, a team of scientists from around the United States convened in
Seattle for ten days to study the remains, making many detailed measurements,
and determined the cause of death.