Kennewick man
Published on Nov 22, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
A mystery finding
On July 28, 1996, along the Columbia River at the hydroplane races.
Photo by maureen lunn
NAGPRA
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
- Protects remains from desecration by scientists
- Applies to Native American tribes and their descendants
- Many skeletons had already been repatriated
- Disadvantage to science
Photo by jimbowen0306
The Claim
- Kennewick Man first claimed publicly by Umatilla tribe
- Tribe said that Kennewick Man was their ancestor
- Scientists denied this "false" claim
- Sparked long, grueling court battle
Photo by Chicago Man
Scientists' Thoughts
- After Umatilla claim was made, many scientists became outraged
- Believed that Kennewick Man was too old to be linked to any modern society
- Claims mostly ignored by Army Corps of Engineers
Photo by mars_discovery_district
Kennewick Man and Science
- Radiocarbon dating to determine Kennewick Man's age
- Decide if Kennewick Man could be linked to modern tribes
- Kennewick Man about 9500 years old, not linked to tribes
- Government analysis showed the contrary
Photo by dave.dave.dave
Legal battle
- 9 year long legal battle
- Indian tribes and Army Corps of Engineers versus 8 scientists
- Verdict was that Kennewick Man was Native American
- Verdict ran counter to Corps of Engineers evidence so far
- Scientists appalled and reopened the case
Photo by afagen
2002 verdict
- The scientists' evidence overwhelming
- Corps had no choice but to back down
- Kennewick Man decreed too old to be Native American
- Scientists given time to study him more
- Repatriation cancelled for studies
Photo by SalFalko
Geography
Kennewick Man and his people show the migration of humans in Washington.
Photo by garryknight
Who is Kennewick Man?
- About 9500 years old
- Part of a hunter-gatherer society
- Migrated to America via Bering Land Bridge
- James Chatters found that Kennewick Man looked like the Ainu
- The Ainu are a Japanese people who are now disappearing
Photo by Travis S.
Who is Kennewick Man?
- Kennewick Man had Caucasoid and Negroid features in his skull
- Diet was mostly fish and other seafood, had severely worn teeth
- Around the water a lot, resulting in auditory exostoses
- Abnormal bone growths in the ear
- His people experienced periods of hunger
Photo by seriykotik1970
Kennewick Man's people
- Kennewick Man had a spear point embedded in his leg
- This may indicate his people having conflict
- Point was thought to be a Cascade Point, later proven false
- His people let him rest, new bone covered the point
- He was buried intentionally
Photo by Melissa Maples
Environment
- Kennewick Man's legs muscular and developed
- Columbia Basin terrain difficult to walk on
- His right arm used for throwing spears frequently
- This made it muscular as well
Photo by matunos
