Spirit Cave Man, died in Nevada 9,400 years ago at the age of 45.
In the article, if the human skeleton's prior owner expired in the open, it would be remarkable that anything remained. If the skeleton were buried, either by a natural process or by acquaintances, then the odds would have been less remarkable but still not assured.
Isn't there some sort of statute of limitations for archaeology? Let's have a little common sense: these remains are over ten thousand years old, not a few hundred (at which point it would be reasonable to discuss the matter with any existing relevant tribes).
Spirit Cave Man, died in Nevada 9,400 years ago at the age of 45.
Kennewick Man, died in Washington state, 9,300 years ago in his early 40's.
Redneck Girl is without a doubt the original indiginous human species in Texas.
With facial reconstuction...
Stay safe; stay armed.
Artillery brings dignity to an otherwise vulgar brawl.
Huh. I thought it was Helen Thomas.
They mention consulting with 3 tribes, but the local Native Americans were Karankawas, and as far as I know, there are no organized descendents of the tribe. I didn't really understand why Native American Indians would have jurisdiction over prehistoric artifacts.
Following is an article from the Victoria Advocate, if anyone is interested.
Ancient remains are waiting for decision
The Victoria Advocate
By: DAVID TEWES
No decision has been made on what to do with the human remains discovered in Victoria County at one of the oldest and largest archaeological sites in North America, but a federal official said she hopes to have an answer for the public in four or five months.
Archaeologist Janelle Stokes with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said that agency is continuing to work with representatives of Native American tribes, archaeologists and others to come up with a recommendation.
``We're hoping to put a first proposal in front of all of the interested parties sometime in May and work on that with all of the groups,'' she said. ``We're hoping to have a formal recommendation from the agency by the end of the summer.''
Stokes said the corps is working with the DuPont plant, which owns the property, and hopefully the two will come up with a mutually agreeable decision.
Spokeswoman Amy Hodges with DuPont said the company doesn't want to rush into a decision. ``The dialogue taking place is very important,'' she said. ``When you're looking at what's the right thing to do, you don't want to rush that process.''
The archaeological dig was done for the corps of engineers as part of the project to widen and deepen the Victoria Barge Canal. While the improvements only affected a small portion of the site, which contained no human remains, a corps official has said it's standard operating procedure to examine the entire site.
The excavation produced a large collection of artifacts from 1,000 to 12,000 years old. A prehistoric cemetery dating from 6,300 to 7,500 years ago was also found, and about 79 burials were discovered there.
Stokes said there are likely other burials, but the corps stopped the excavation because it felt enough information was already available.
Archaeologists and historians are concerned that the unearthed remains and artifacts will be reburied without further study. They said that would rob them of the chance to investigate what they consider an important chapter in the history of early man.
While the corps will make a recommendation based on public input about what should be done with the remains and artifacts, the final decision rests with DuPont because it owns the land.
Hodges said that as property owner, the company is involved because it is the steward of the land on which the remains and artifacts were found.
``We don't believe we own human remains,'' she said. ``No one owns human remains. We're supporting the corps process because it's bringing in opinions of diverse parties.''
Both Hodges and Stokes said the Society for American Archaeology, the Council of Texas Archaeologists and the Texas Archaeological Society are also being consulted as part of the decision-making process.
``They represent the opinions of professional and avocation archaeologists,'' Stokes said. ``We have had a meeting with them and they are advising us of their recommendations and on the significance of the site, and the archeological analyses they think should be performed.''
But she added that's just one side of the issue. Stokes said the corps is also talking with the Native Americans, the state historic preservation officer and other individuals.
She said the corps will conduct another meeting with the Native Americans in May.
Stokes said representatives from three tribes that attended a meeting with the corps in Victoria earlier this year agreed the remains should be reburied. But she said opinions varied on how much, if any, study should be done.
David Tewes is a reporter for The Victoria Advocate. Contact him by e-mail at dtewes@vicad.com. Originally published on: April 25, 2002 on page 1A.