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Richard Jantz
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Claims for the Remains
Richard L. Jantz
Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee,
Knoxville
Why should scientists be allowed to study the Kennewick
skeleton?
The study of human skeletal remains has been a component of
biological anthropology since its origins 200 years ago. Human
skeletons provide information about the past that is
unobtainable from any other source, e.g., specific dietary
components, activities, health, and genetic relationships.
Kennewick Man in particular provides a window into a
little-known time and place, and it is important in defining
the early populations of the Americas. Of the 10 or so
skeletons in the United States dating to 9000 before present
or older, it is one of the best preserved. As such it
constitutes over 10 percent of the evidence nationally. But in
the Northwest-Plateau area, it constitutes well over 50
percent of the evidence.
Skeletal remains help tell the story of human history; it is a
history to which everyone is entitled. Access to human history
should not be restricted by the government, nor should it be
controlled by small groups of people.
What would I personally hope to learn?
My interest is in the patterns of skeletal variation
temporally and geographically in prehistoric North America.
Kennewick Man represents a time period from which there are
few skeletons, so patterns are difficult to ascertain.
Kennewick Man can contribute to two major questions in which I
have an interest:
Certain ancient skeletons, such as Spirit Cave Man
(reconstructed above) and Kennewick Man, appear to
represent different regional populations—a
finding that is forcing anthropologists to rewrite the
history of the first Americans.
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Geographic variation among early populations. Limited
evidence suggests the existence of regional groups. For
example, the Minnesota specimens, Browns Valley and Pelican
Rapids, are markedly different from Great Basin groups
represented by Spirit Cave and Wizards Beach. The western
skeletons seem to exhibit greater similarities to Pacific
populations, suggesting coastal migration routes rather than
the more commonly postulated Bering Land Bridge route.
Preliminary evidence indicates Kennewick Man is differentiated
from other ancient skeletons, suggesting another population.
Relationships between early populations and recent Native
Americans.
Current evidence demonstrates that early populations differ
markedly from recent ones. The reason for these differences
has yet to be determined. Possibilities include: (a)
substantial evolutionary change took place, or (b) early
populations contributed little to the ancestry of recent
Native Americans. Kennewick Man can make a substantial
contribution to answering these questions.
Does Race Exist? |
Meet Kennewick Man
Claims for the Remains
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The Dating Game
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