2000-2001

2000
January: The Department of the Interior determines that Kennewick Man is Native American as defined by U.S. law. The department confirms the age of the remains at 9,000 years, more than 8,000 years before the arrival of European explorers. The department continues studying whether Kennewick Man is affiliated with present day tribes from the region. The study considers archaeological, ethnographic, linguistic, biological, genetic and historical information, as well as traditional stories of the five Indian tribes.

March: Judge Jelderks gives the Interior Department until Sept. 24, 2000, to conduct DNA analysis of the remains. DNA tests begin in May over some Native American objections, but the bones prove too old to yield any results.

September: The Department of the Interior completes its examination and says Kennewick Man belongs to the five claimant tribes.

October: Judge Jelderks reactivates the scientists' lawsuit and sets the trial schedule.

2001
June: Oral arguments begin in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon.