Murray Introduces Bill to Return Kennewick Man to Columbia Basin Tribes

Press Release

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has introduced legislation that would return the prehistoric human remains of the nearly complete male skeleton known as Kennewick Man or the Ancient One to a coalition of Columbia Basin tribes. Experts believe the remains, discovered in 1996 on federal land near the Columbia River, are at least 8,400 years old, making Kennewick Man one of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America. In June of this year, new genetic evidence determined the remains are closer to modern Native American than any other population worldwide.

S. 1979, the Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015, would transfer the remains from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, which has existing, effective, and efficient regulations in place to carry out repatriation of remains, including the Kennewick Man, to tribes. Several area tribes have joined together in calling for the Kennewick Man's return to his descendants.

"After nearly two decades of legal wrangling and scientific studying, it's well past time to return these prehistoric remains to their rightful place," Senator Murray said. "This is simply the right thing to do, and the sooner we begin the process of repatriation, the sooner we can ensure we are honoring the wishes of the Kennewick Man's descendants."

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