Posted on 06/20/2005 9:04:20 PM PDT by blam
Kennewick Man to be studied in Seattle
This story was published Monday, June 20th, 2005
By Anna King, Herald staff writer
Scientists say they are wrapping up final arrangements to study Kennewick Man's remains in early July at University of Washington's Burke Museum in Seattle.
The 9,400-year-old skeleton found along the banks of the Columbia River in 1996 has been the focus of a bitter nine-year court battle between the federal government, Mid-Columbia Native American tribes that claim the bones as their ancestor and the scientists who want to study the remains.
Scientists from around the country plan to convene in Seattle for about two weeks early next month to conduct the research, said Alan Schneider, Portland-based attorney for the scientists.
The study potentially could be halted if the tribes asked for a stay, but they haven't yet, Schneider said. But further studies of Kennewick Man might be stopped if a bill proposed by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., passes and changes the wording of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
The senator has introduced a two-word amendment that would let federally recognized tribes demand the return of remains, even if they can't prove a link to a modern tribe.
"Right now skeletal remains that are culturally unaffiliated are being given to tribes and reburied," Schneider said. "If the McCain amendment goes through, we are very concerned about what would become of Kennewick Man and all of these other skeletal remains that are so different from present day Native Americans."
But the bill won't be approved in time to affect this summer's study, he added.
Audie Huber, inter-govermental affairs manager for the Umatilla Reservation's Department of Natural Resources, said that the Umatilla, Yakama and Nez Pierce tribes had filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The tribes hope to have some say in what happens to the remains in the future, he said.
"The desire was to get them back in the ground," Huber said. He added that the tribes' appeal likely won't affect the plaintiff scientist's study this summer.
In July, government scientists plan to look the skeleton over and assess any changes in the bones since their last study, he said. Then the scientists will begin their work.
First, the team would work to catalogue and reconstruct the entire skeleton, Schneider said. They wouldn't glue or alter the bones in any way but would put them in anatomical order, he said.
Then they would try to reconstruct what has happened to the skeleton from the time Kennewick Man died until now.
Scientists plan to do a CAT scan of Kennewick Man's skull and hip bone with its imbedded arrowhead. The computer image would be used to mold a very accurate plastic replica of the skull.
The replica would be taken back to the Smithsonian Museum and recast in a more durable material that would be measured and hand painted to resemble the original as closely as possible.
Schneider said one replica would be kept at the Burke and another at the Smithsonian.
"When other researches come into Burke they won't have to handle the skull as much," he said. "They won't have to take all their measurements off the original anymore."
The replica also serves a precaution in case the bones are returned to the tribes later, Schneider said.
Scientists who want to do more specific measurements and study on Kennewick Man's teeth, hand and foot bones likely would conduct their studies this fall. That is if McCain's bill doesn't pass.
Schneider said the scientists are concerned that if the bones are returned to the tribes, scientists won't be able to study them with new technologies and techniques that may develop in the future.
James Chatters, the Richland archaeologist who recovered many of Kennewick Man's bones from the riverbank when they were first discovered, said he is relieved the study will finally happen. Chatters said he plans to answer the other scientists' questions about what he saw when he originally found the bones and help describe the site where the remains were discovered.
"We're past some of the politics and finally going to learn some things," he said.
Kennewick Man's remains are stored at the Burke Museum.
No but the tribal groups may remember and express their thanks with casino money. I hope I am wrong, but I fear that is what is driving this.
Who did the realisation on the Spirit Cave Man's face? At a passing glance I thought it was a picture of a hairless Ainu man.
"If push comes to shove, I'd vote for Rudy."
Rudy is a nanny statist, gun grabbing, pro-abortion liberal.
That said, Times Square, Washington Heights, and the rest of NYC is now a safe place thanks to him.
Rudy or McCain? I'd skip that line, and go on to next office. No votes for President. Not even if Hillary! is running.
The money has been flowing already, else no amendment. :')
They are afraid of the truth because it contradicts their witch-doctor mystical lore - that they were placed on this land by god and are the "original" Americans. Which is a complete crock. They claim to be indigenous peoples, but they are no more indigenous to America than any of us.
I don't remember who it is/was but, she's claiming all rights to the image.
" At a passing glance I thought it was a picture of a hairless Ainu man."
Yup. Me too.
I think the Ainu types arrived here as early as 25,000 years ago. Professor Stephen Oppenheimer, on his DNA supported 'Journey Of Mankind' map, shows immigrants at Meadowcroft in that period.
A suprising Native-American story:
McCain trashed christians in the 2000 primary. Just not too long ago he sabotages the end of the filubuster. In what dream world are they living in where McCain is pleasing to social conservatives? Maybe folks who are socially Liberal, so then he should run as a Democrat.
I have no ill against Rudy. If selected I'd vote for him, but he won't be my first second, or third choice. His main attraction is WOT and treatment of U.N.
The reason they top polls is because people recognize the names. It reflects nothing about what primary voters will eventually do.
Here's the email I sent:
Re: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act*****
Dear Senator McCain: I have been following the saga of Kennewick Man for years now, and was very relieved when it turned out that Kennewick Man could finally be studied properly. I am interested in archaeology and anththropology, but mostly I am interested in finding the truth of our human history. However, I have heard that you are sponsoring a re-wording of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act which will change things again so that tribes can demand the repatriation of remains, EVEN if they cannot establish a genetic or historic link to the remains. I hope that this is not true, and that you are NOT changing the wording so that can take place. I'm sure you are aware that many people are not interested in historic truth, but simply in furthering their own agendas, and that this re-wording would play right into their hands. I voted Republican for defense but am liberal in many matters. Basically, I am right in your demographic group should you choose to run for President in '08. However, I could not support a candidate whom I did not perceive to be on the side of truth, wherever that truth might lead. Please make sure that pre-historic remains such as Kennewick Man remain available to be studied by qualified scientists.
SunkenCiv, would you be interested in leading a campaign to write Mc Cain as has FReeper Hetty_Fauxvert as in post number 30 above. I will consider sponsoring any reasonable funding required for this effort(approval required before each funding event).
On second thought, wouldn't it be more effective if we wrote all the senators?
McCain's out to lunch on this one, as he always whips the *** of whoever runs against him. The tribal vote can't be all that big a deal, even in his state. The best way to shake him up is to find one or more challengers for his next primary (which is when, at least a few years away?). And of course, to kick his ass out of the presidential race at the earliest possible opportunity.
Disclaimer: I will vote for literally any Republican running against Hillary. Better the devil you know than the devil that you know really is the devil, that's my motto.
Writing all the senators has the virtue of no investment but time (for those of us short of money). I'm sure someone can come up with a polite, effective draft we can all mull over in email?
Here's a link to an FR post (retrieved from my FR links page) containing contact info, such as it was at the time the post was made (with thanks to nw_arizona_granny).
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1326186/posts?page=134#134
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