Murray wants Kennewick Man returned to tribes

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has introduced legislation that would return Kennewick Man 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, new genetic evidence determined the remains are closer to modern Native American than any other population worldwide. Murray’s bill would transfer the remains from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, which would return them to the tribes. Several area tribes have joined together in calling for 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,” Murray, D-Wash., said in a news release. “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.”