This 1997 photo shows a plastic casting of the skull from the bones known as Kennewick Man, in Richland. One of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America will be given back to American Indian tribes in Washington state for reburial. President Barack Obama signed a bill Monday, Dec. 19, with a provision requiring the ancient bones known as Kennewick Man be returned to tribes within 90 days. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson,File)

This 1997 photo shows a plastic casting of the skull from the bones known as Kennewick Man, in Richland. One of the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America will be given back to American Indian tribes in Washington state for reburial. President Barack Obama signed a bill Monday, Dec. 19, with a provision requiring the ancient bones known as Kennewick Man be returned to tribes within 90 days. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson,File)

Kennewick Man must be returned to tribes within 90 days

Associated Press

SPOKANE — President Obama has signed a bill that includes a provision that the ancient bones known as Kennewick Man be returned to Indian tribes for reburial.

The bill requires that Kennewick Man be returned to tribes in Washington state within 90 days

The Kennewick Man remains were discovered in 1996 on federal land near the Columbia River. Experts estimate they are at least 8,400 years old, making the Ancient One among the oldest and most complete skeletons found in North America.

In 2015, new genetic evidence determined the remains were closer to modern Native Americans than any other population.

The bill transfers the remains from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, which will carry out repatriation of the remains to the tribes.

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