Posted on 01/11/2003 2:18:04 PM PST by vannrox
Tribes fail to halt study of ancient skeleton 01/09/03RICHARD L. HILL
Four Northwest tribes lost another round in federal court Wednesday in their effort to halt a scientific study of the ancient skeleton called Kennewick Man.
U.S. Magistrate John Jelderks in Portland rejected the tribes' request to delay the study until the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can hear the legal dispute. In August, Jelderks ruled that eight anthropologists who sued the federal government could proceed to study the 9,300-year-old remains. The Nez Perce, Umatilla, Colville and Yakama tribes appealed his decision and later asked Jelderks to delay the study until the higher court could hear the case. In a four-page ruling rejecting their request, Jelderks said he recognized that the study would "constitute some injury" to the tribes, "who oppose any further study on religious and spiritual grounds." But because the scientists "do not intend to carry out extensive invasive studies that will substantially alter the physical condition of the remains, the remains would be available for burial without substantial change from their current condition" if the tribes prevail in their appeal, he said. "The public has an interest in the studies proceeding without further delay," Jelderks said. Paula A. Barran, a Portland attorney who represents the eight scientists, said her clients are working out details of the study with the U.S. Interior Department and the Army Corps of Engineers. No study date has been scheduled. The tribes are reviewing their legal options, said Rick Eichstaedt, an attorney with the Nez Perce Tribe. "The judge recognizes that allowing a study threatens injury to the tribe, so we're disappointed that he would allow a study before the 9th Circuit has an opportunity to hear our appeal." The bones, discovered in 1996 on the Columbia River shoreline in Kennewick, Wash., are being stored at the Burke Museum in Seattle. Richard L. Hill: 503-221-8238; richardhill@news.oregonian.com
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I know this is a concern of a lot of the tribes,but I will never understand why. It has been a well-known fact since the beginning that the various "Indian" tribes weren't all from the same genetic stock. Some Indians WERE white,some were actually black without African features,and some were the traditional "red man". Even proving that Kennewick man WAS white AND the earliest remains found only proves he is the earliest remains found. It doesn't mean others with other genetic backgrounds weren't here earlier than him. Or even at the same time.
Just across the river from where I live.
Check out my profile page. Scroll down and there is some information there.
Tom McClelland of Richland shows the skull casting of Kennewick Man. He and anthropologist Jim Chatters used to re-create the facial features of the 9,200-year-old discovery.
Herald/André Ranieri
In fact, so attractive were the Indians of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, that the young fellows among the colonists were actually (according to one theory) the cause of thr first Indian troubles. Seems they were a little too interested in the attractive maidens among their aboriginal neighbors
I wonder what Kennewick man would say about all the nonsense.
I hope they can get some good DNA data out of him before some other idiot closes the door on research.
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