Repatriation of Human Remains (fwd)

Douglas C. and Elizabeth A. Comer (comer@ACCESS.DIGEX.NET)
Fri, 30 Sep 1994 23:41:43 -0400

I would welcome any contributions from ANTHRO-L members.
Thanks,
Douglas Comer

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 1994 22:46:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Douglas C. and Elizabeth A. Comer <comer@access4.digex.net>
To: ARCH-L@tamvm1.tamu.edu
Subject: Repatriation of Human Remains

I'm currently chairing the Maryland Advisory Committee on Archeology.
Over the past few years, an increasing percentage of the Committee's time
has been occupied by issues related to the repatriation of human remains
to Native American groups. I'd estimate we spend about half of our time on
this now. The level of controversy we have encountered has suggested to
us that we could benefit from the experiences that other state
committees, archeologists, Native Americans, physical anthropologists,
cultural anthropologists, and similarly interested parties have had with
repatriation.

We'd especially like to hear about cutting edge techniques for linking
unaffiliated remains with existing Native American groups, and specific
cases in which notable contributions have been made by means of analysis
of human remains prior to repatriation or in an effort (successful or
not) to establish affiliation. We're also curious about state
legislation, regulation, or policy at variance with the Native American
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Thanks in advance for all assistance,
Douglas Comer