Kumeyaay tribes seek to rebury ancient remains

Monday, January 28, 2008  

The 12 Kumeyaay tribes of southern California are trying to repatriate three ancestors who died nearly 10,000 years ago.

During a dig at the University of California-San Diego in 1976, the remains of about 29 ancestors were excavated. But the school can only account for three sets -- of a young man and an older woman who were buried together and of another person.

The tribes are convinced they are related to the remains. School officials, however, say they don't have enough proof to link the bones to the Kumeyaay people, who have lived in southern California and northern Mexico for centuries.

The Kumeyaay Cultural Repatriation Committee, which represents the tribes, met with UCSD on the Barona Reservation last Thursday. The tribes say the process is taking too long.

Get the Story:
Tribes seeking return of remains (The San Diego Union-Tribune 1/27)

Federal Register Notice:
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Regulations--Disposition of Culturally Unidentifiable Human Remains (October 16, 2007)

NAGPRA Bill:
A bill to amend certain laws relating to Native Americans to make technical corrections, and for other purposes (S.2087)

Kennewick Man Decision:
BONNICHSEN v. US (February 4, 2004)

Relevant Links:
National NAGPRA - http://www.cr.nps.gov/nagpra

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