Archaeologists oppose proposed NAGPRA rule

Tuesday, December 4, 2007  

The Society for American Archaeology is opposing the Interior Department's proposed Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act rule.

The SAA says the rule has no basis in law or science. "The adoption of the regulations as they stand would force the NAGPRA process back to square one," president Dean Snow said.

The rule applies to human remains that can't be culturally affiliated with tribes, Native Americans or Native Hawaiians. It was published in the Federal Register on October 16.

Get the Story:
Press Release: Proposed federal rule threatens 2 decades of established law (SAA 12/3)

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

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

NAGPRA Court Decision:
BONNICHSEN v. US (February 4, 2004)

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

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