Very Old Bones Returned to Tribes
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AP Photo/U.S. Forest Service
This photo shows casts of the ancient human remains, including vertebrae, ribs, teeth, a
jaw, and a pelvic bone, that were found in a cave in Alaska in 1996. The quarter in the
center shows the size of the bones.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Achieve3000, December 5, 2007). Eleven
years ago, ancient human remains were found inside an Alaskan cave
during a U.S. Forest Service archaeological survey. Now, the federal
government is ready to hand over the remains to the southeast Alaska
Tlingit tribes, the bones' rightful owners. It will be the first time a
federal agency has returned such an ancient find to a native group.
Ribs, teeth, and other kinds of bones were among the remains. They
were found inside the On Your Knees Cave in Tongass National
Forest in 1996. The area is the homeland for the Tlingit tribes. When the remains were discovered,
the Forest Service immediately consulted with area tribes, as required by the 1990 Native American
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The act requires government agencies to return Native
American remains and cultural items to tribes.
There was never any dispute that the remains should go to the Tlingit tribes. However, the tribes
agreed to leave the remains in the custody of the U.S. Forest Service so that researchers could study
them. Some tribal members initially balked at allowing the study to be done, preferring instead to
have an immediate burial. In the end, these people backed the study after determining that the remains
had been scattered in the cave—possibly by scavengers—and had not been taken from a burial site.
The tribes said that they wanted to support knowledge and learning by allowing scientists to study the
remains of their ancestors, according to anthropologist Rosita Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage
Institute, the nonprofit cultural and educational arm of the Alaska Native corporation.
"The elders also saw [sharing the remains] as a way of [confirming] our ancient presence here in
southeast Alaska," said Worl, a Tlingit tribe member. "A number of elders have said it proves we've
been here since time immemorial."
Through a lengthy process that included DNA and other testing, researchers found that the bones
were indeed ancient. In addition, they found that the remains belonged to a native man in his early
20s who lived primarily on seafood.
The find also included some stone tools made of obsidian, or volcanic glass. The presence of these
tools surprised researchers, since obsidian is not naturally found in the area. It suggests that early
residents used boats to get around the coastal region, an idea that supports oral histories among the
Tlingit tribes about coastal migrations.
"We're very, very excited and very proud of our people," said Worl.
For Sherry Hutt, the repatriation program manager for the National Park Service, what stands out
about the Tlingit case is the level of cooperation involved.
"The Forest Service went through the process carefully and methodically. It consulted with the locals
and came to a decision based on analysis of the facts," Hutt said. "The process of consultation
enhances the body of knowledge. This is a good example of it."
Worl agreed, saying, "I think ours is a really good example of what can be accomplished when
scientists and federal agencies recognize the legal rights of native people. They're professional with
them, [and] they're sensitive with them. They're equal with them."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Dig Deeper
You read about ancient bones belonging to the Tlingit people. The Tlingit people are Native
Americans who began living in southeastern Alaska long before Europeans got there. This area is
along the Pacific Ocean and is covered in forests. It's temperate—not very cold—and gets plenty of
rain. For this reason, there are many plants and animals there.
Traditionally, the Tlingit people were hunter-gatherers. They hunted and fished for their food. They
built large wooden houses. Each house was home to more than one family. Some families were seen
as more important because they were wealthy or their ancestors had done important things. The heads
of the most important families became leaders in the community. Tlingit people gained their wealth
by trading fish oil, shells, and baskets. They traded with other tribes, and later, with Europeans.
The T-lingit people had ceremonies. One type was called a "potlatch," and its purpose was often to
remember the dead. The people sang, danced, and ate feasts. They asked the dead to help them
continue to find food and heal the sick. An important part of the potlatch was for the host family to
give away goods to others.
Today, many Tlingit people still live in villages. They try to keep living the way their ancestors did.
Others live a more modern life.
Dictionary
analysis (noun) the examination of something in detail in order to understand it better or draw conclusions fro
anthropologist (noun) a person who studies human culture or human development
enhance (verb) improve
host (adjective) having to do with a person or place that is having visitors
repatriation (noun) the act of sending something or someone back to the country or community of origin
traditionally (adverb) in a way having to do with what has been done for a long time
Very Old Bones Returned to Tribes
Activity
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1. What is this article mainly about?
The relationship between the Alaskan Tlingit tribes and the federal government
The ancient remains that are being returned to the Tlingit people in Alaska
The details of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
The DNA testing that the government uses to study ancient remains
2. Why did members of the Tlingit tribe allow researchers to go ahead with the study of the remains?
They learned that government legislation required them to allow researchers to study
ancient remains.
They learned that the remains had been found scattered in a cave and were not taken
from a burial site.
They learned that the remains dated back to ancient times and could not be identified.
They learned that the government would honor the remains by displaying them in a
museum after the study.
3. Which of these is least important to include in a summary of this article?
The year that the remains were found inside the On Your Knees Cave in Alaska
The reasons why the Tlingit tribes allowed scientists to study the remains
The ways that the government followed the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act
The reasons why the remains are being returned to the Tlingit people
4. The article states:
There was never any dispute that the remains should go to the Tlingit tribes. However,
the tribes agreed to leave the remains in the custody of the U.S. Forest Service so that
researchers could study them.
Which would be the closest synonym for the word custody?
Duration
Milestone
Supervision
Revenue
5. Which event had not yet taken place when this article was written?
The federal government returned the ancient remains to the Tlingit tribes.
The Tlingit tribal members first considered burying the remains.
The Tlingit tribes accepted the scientific study of the ancient remains.
The federal government found ancient human remains in an Alaskan cave.
6. Which of these is a statement of opinion?
The Tlingit tribes agreed to leave the remains with the U.S. Forest Service so
that researchers could study them.
Ribs, teeth, and other kinds of bones were among the remains found inside the On
Your Knees Cave.
The Forest Service spoke with local tribes immediately after the remains were discovered.
The federal government should have been returning ancient artifacts to Native
American groups long before this.
7. Which is the closest synonym for the word enhance?
Develop
Corrode
Liberate
Submit
8. The news article says all of the following except __________.
The Tlingit tribes were pleased that the government respected their legal right to the
ancient remains.
The Forest Service immediately consulted with area tribes after they discovered the remains
The Forest Service found the remains in a cave after they had been scattered there by
someone else.
The Tlingit tribes have cooperated with the government during many previous
archaeological studies.