The Kennewick Man, an ancient human skeleton, was discovered in Washington State, sparking a public dispute. Estimated to be around 9,000 years old, this finding immediately captured scientific attention due to its age and the questions it raised about early human populations in the Americas. His discovery led to a complex controversy involving legal challenges, scientific inquiry, and cultural claims.
The Discovery and Early Insights
On July 28, 1996, two college students, Will Thomas and David Deacy, found a human skull while wading in the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington. Forensic anthropologist James Chatters, who first examined the skull, noted characteristics that initially suggested a “Caucasoid” origin. This led some scientists to believe the skeleton did not resemble modern Native Americans.
The discovery site also yielded nearly a complete skeleton, later determined to be that of a male, approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall, who was between 40 and 50 years old at the time of his death. A projectile point, resembling those used by people in the Columbia Plateau between 4,500 and 9,000 years ago, was found embedded in his right hip. Radiocarbon dating of a bone sample revealed the skeleton’s age to be between 8,400 and 8,690 years old. These early insights raised questions about the origins and migration patterns of the earliest inhabitants of the Americas.
The Heart of the Controversy: Legal and Cultural Clash
The discovery of Kennewick Man quickly led to a conflict between the scientific community and several Native American tribes. Scientists sought to study the remains to gain insights into early human migration to the Americas, while tribes asserted claims for reburial under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). NAGPRA, enacted in 1990, mandates the return of Native American human remains and associated funerary objects found on federal land to culturally affiliated tribes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which managed the federal land where the remains were found, took custody and initially announced plans for repatriation. However, eight scientists filed a lawsuit in October 1996 to prevent the reburial. They argued there was insufficient evidence to establish a cultural affiliation between Kennewick Man and any modern tribe, and that his physical characteristics did not align with modern Native Americans.
Conversely, a coalition of five tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Yakama, Nez Perce, Colville, and Wanapum, formally claimed the remains. They argued Kennewick Man was an ancestor based on geographical affiliation, as the discovery site was within their traditional homelands. The tribes emphasized that their religious beliefs necessitated a swift and respectful reburial, asserting their oral histories indicated their people had always resided in North America.
In 2002, a federal court ruled in favor of the scientists, stating that Kennewick Man had not been shown to be Native American under NAGPRA and therefore was not subject to its provisions. The government appealed this ruling, but in 2004, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit again sided with the scientists, affirming that NAGPRA did not apply due to the lack of a proven cultural affiliation.
Unveiling the Past: Scientific Discoveries
Following the court’s decision, scientific studies were conducted on Kennewick Man. Initial analyses, including craniometric studies, suggested that Kennewick Man’s skull morphology resembled circumpacific populations, such as the Ainu of Japan and Polynesians. These findings initially supported the view that he was anatomically distinct from modern Native Americans.
However, advancements in ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis provided new investigation methods. In 2015, a landmark study successfully sequenced Kennewick Man’s nuclear genome from a 200-milligram sample of hand bone. Despite the DNA being highly degraded and contaminated with environmental DNA, researchers utilized advanced techniques to extract and analyze the ancient genetic material.
The genetic analysis revealed that Kennewick Man’s genome was more closely related to modern Native Americans than to any other population worldwide. The study found a close affinity with members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. This genetic evidence challenged earlier conclusions based solely on cranial morphology, demonstrating that skull shape alone might not reliably indicate genetic ancestry.
Beyond DNA, isotopic analysis provided insights into Kennewick Man’s diet and mobility. Skeletal examinations also detailed his health and potential causes of death, including evidence of injuries such as broken ribs, a shoulder injury, several skull fractures, and a spear point embedded in his hip.
Resolution and Reconciliation
The dispute surrounding Kennewick Man moved towards resolution, influenced by DNA evidence. The genetic studies, particularly the 2015 genome sequencing, provided compelling proof that Kennewick Man was closely related to modern Native American populations. This scientific finding directly addressed the core issue of cultural affiliation that had been central to the legal battles.
In light of the genetic evidence, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-evaluated its position regarding Kennewick Man’s disposition. The confirmation of Native American ancestry meant that the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) applied. As a result, in 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its decision to repatriate the remains to the claimant tribes.
On February 18, 2017, the remains of Kennewick Man were formally transferred to a coalition of Columbia Basin tribes, which included the Colville, Yakama, Nez Perce, Umatilla, and Wanapum. The tribes subsequently reburied him in a private ceremony at an undisclosed location, respecting their cultural traditions and beliefs.