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JULY 2, 2001

In an editorial today, the Seattle Times says Kennewick Man should not be repatriated to five tribes because the 9,300-year-old remains are "too old and too unlike an American Indian's"

The paper says tribal statements about their connection to Kennewick Man are "beliefs" that should be respected. But the "beliefs" are not legitimate enough to warrant giving the bones to the tribes, according to the paper.

The paper says Kennewick Man most resembles Polynesians or the Ainu, suggesting that American Indians may not descend from the first inhabitants of the Americas.

However, the paper does not consider whether American Indians might be related to a common ancestor of Polynesians or Ainus, who are indigenous to Japan, or related to either group altogether.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Kennewick Man and the role of science (The Seattle Times 7/2)

Kennewick Man Reports and Data:
Kennewick Man (National Park Service)

Relevant Links:
The Kennewick Man case, Friends of America's Past - http://www.friendsofpast.org/kennewick_case.html

Related Stories:
FBI weighs charges over Kennewick bones (6/28)
Missing Kennewick bones may be found (6/22)
Kennewick judge questions tribal history (6/21)
Kennewick Man trial opens (6/20)
Kennewick Man battle back in court (6/19)
Kennewick Man debate focus of article (6/4)
Govt files Kennewick Man brief (5/18)
Scientists file Kennewick Man brief (4/19)
Kennewick Man lawsuit to proceed (10/26)
Where's the rest of Kennewick Man? (10/02)
Tribes ask scientists not to study Kennewick (09/27)
EDITORIAL: Let scientists study Kennewick (09/27)
Kennewick Man to go to tribes (09/26)
Spirit Cave, Kennewick may share fate (08/17)
Yakama intervention denied (8/10)
Kennewick won't yield DNA (8/7)
Leaders discuss NAGPRA (7/27)
Repatriation panel supported (06/12)
Yakama Nation files Kennewick Man suit (06/01)
Kennewick testing to begin (4/24)