Congress moves toward stronger protections of traditional cultural items and greater sensitivity for the significance of human remains — even when centuries old.
The new Water Infrastructure law wasn’t just about the quality and sufficiency of water. It also provides (in Section 1152) for the return of the Kennewick man or “the Ancient One” to the five-tribe consortium which has claimed the remains. The remains, which were uncovered near the banks of the Columbia River in Washington State, will be transferred from the Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. That office will repatriate the human remains to the five claimant tribes, provided that the tribes agree on a final burial place within the State of Washington. The law does not require disclosure of the burial place. See the backstory on legislation regarding the repatriation of the Ancient One, below.
Both chambers of Congress have also agreed on a resolution expressing support for efforts to stop the illegal sales and exports of sacred and cultural objects from Indian, Alaska Native and Hawaiian indigenous communities. Although theft has always been illegal, it has been difficult to prove theft or illegal possession of traditional items once they appear in foreign markets or even in U.S. markets. While the resolution does not have the force of law, it nevertheless encourages the cooperation of all levels of government, private organizations, and buyers and sellers of these items to find ways to protect the proper homes of cultural items.
