Evolution And History

Dating the Past 115

and paleoanthropologists utilize as many methods as are
appropriate, given the materials available and the funds at
their disposal. By doing so, they significantly reduce the
risk of error. Several of the most frequently employed dat-
ing techniques are presented in Table 5.1.

Relative Dating

Of the many relative dating techniques available,
stratigraphy is probably the most reliable (recall
Figure 5.2). Stratigraphy is based on the simple principle

that the oldest layer, or stratum, was deposited first (it

is the deepest) whereas the newest layer was deposited

last (in undisturbed situations, it lies at the top). Simi-

larly, archaeological evidence is usually deposited in

chronological order. The lowest stratum contains the

oldest artifacts and/or fossils whereas the uppermost

stratum contains the most recent ones. Thus even in the

stratigraphy In archaeology and paleoanthropology, the

most reliable method of relative dating by means of strata.

Biocultural Connection

Kennewick Man

The “Ancient One” and “Kennewick

Man” both refer to the 9,300-year-old

skeletal remains that were found in 1996

below the surface of Lake Wallula, part of

the Columbia River, in Kennewick, Wash-

ington State. This discovery has been the

center of continuing controversy since it

was made. Who owns these human re-

mains? Who can determine what shall be

done with them? Do the biological char-

acteristics preserved in these remains

play a role in determining their fate?

This particular conflict involves three

major parties. Because the skeleton was

found on a location for which the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers is responsible,

this federal agency first took posses-

sion of the remains. Appealing to a

1990 federal law, the Native American

Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

(NAGPRA), a nearby American Indian

group named the Confederated Tribes of

the Umatilla Indian Reservation (repre-

senting the region’s Umatilla, Cayuse,

and Walla Walla nations) claimed the

remains. Because Kennewick Man was

found within their ancestral homeland,

they argue that they are “culturally

affiliated” with the individual they refer

to as the Ancient One. Viewing these

human bones as belonging to an an-

cestor, they wish to return them to the

earth in a respectful ceremony.

This claim was challenged in federal

court by a group of scientists, includ-

ing some archaeologists and biological

anthropologists. They view these human

remains, among the oldest ever discov-

ered in the western hemisphere, as scien-

tifically precious, with potential to shed

light on the earliest population move-

ments in the Americas. The scientists do

not want to “own” the remains but want

the opportunity to study them. By means

of DNA analysis, for instance, these scien-

tists expect to determine possible prehis-

toric linkages between this individual and

ancient human remains found elsewhere,

including Asia. Moreover, scientific analy-

sis may determine whether there actually

exists any biological connection between

these remains and currently living Native

peoples, including individuals residing on

the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Fearing the loss of a unique scientific

specimen, the scientists filed a law-

suit in federal court to prevent reburial

before these bones were researched and

analyzed. Their legal challenge is not

based on “cultural affiliation,” which

is a very difficult concept when it con-

cerns such ancient human remains, but

focuses on the fact that the region’s

Native peoples cannot prove they are

direct lineal descendants. Unless such

ties have been objectively established,

they argue, Kennewick Man should be

released for scientific study.

In 2004 federal court rulings permit-

ted initial scientific investigations. Just

as these investigations were wrapping up

in July 2005, the Senate Indian Affairs

Committee heard testimony on a pro-

posal by Arizona Senator John McCain to

expand NAGPRA so that remains such

as these would be once again prohibited

from study. Congress adjourned without

this bill becoming law, and the remains

have been studied continually since then.

Doug Owsley, the forensic anthropolo-

gist from the Smithsonian Institution

leading the research team, has said

that scientific investigation is yielding

even more information than expected.

Because conflicting world views are

at the center of this controversy, it is

unlikely that it will be easily resolved.

© Eurelios/Photo Researchers, Inc.