State to give tribes ancient remains found in June
Published 5:45 am Friday, June 19, 2009
TRINIDAD — Ancient human remains found by hikers outside the small town of Trinidad in Eastern Washington will be turned over to local tribes for reburial.
State officials have determined the bones found June 4 are of American Indian heritage and could be hundreds to thousands of years old.
The Wenatchee World reports the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation has notified three local tribes that they can take possession of the bones. The hikers found a skull and numerous bone parts.
Guy Tasa, a state physical anthropologist, says people have lived in Washington for about 13,000 years and finding ancient remains is not unusual. Tasa says the three tribes usually decide where the remains will be buried.
Information from: The Wenatchee World, www.wenworld.com
