Controversy is the name of the game when it comes to the nation wide known, Kennewick man case. This case was discovered when two people attending the Kennewick boat races stumbled across a skull dating to approximately 9,200 years old. Thus, the strung out controversial argument started. Strong stealth-full arguments have been fought to who should get Kennewick man. Some say the Native Americans have full rights to the man found on the shore of the Columbia River. But others argue Science should claim this historic skeleton. People struggle to find the solution to who should receive Kennewick man, but I find it very clear. The world of Science deserves the rights to study and learn more about this terrific treasure.
Those supporting the Native American's case use the NAGPRA law .
against the Science case. Without research you would assume that it would be against the law to not hand over Kennewick Man to the Natives. However in section 2, number 2 it states that cultural affiliation is taken in to hand when deciding whether or not a skeleton should be handed over to the Natives. Kennewick man does not have a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced historically or prehistorically between a present day Indian tribe. Although he was found on reservation land there is no proof he was Indian. Actually, sculptor Tom Mclellend says Kennewick mans features are closer to a historic European or Asian person. He does not carry the usual characteristics a Native American does. So, therefore he does not fit the criteria for cultural affiliation which must be proved to be a candidate for the Natives side to the story.
When somebody dies, does the environment they pass away in become their history? For instance, if I took a trip to Asia and died would I be considered an Asian? No, I certainly would not be. There would be absolutely no evidence of me being of Asian race, especially if I looked Caucasian.
