Bibliograph

Kennewick Man, an epic drama of the West, Filmakers Library, Inc. presents ; a film by Kyle Carver and Ryan Purcell ; a Riverside Films production

Type

Label

Kennewick Man, an epic drama of the West, Filmakers Library, Inc. presents ; a film by Kyle Carver and Ryan Purcell ; a Riverside Films production

Language

eng

Characteristic

videorecording

Intended audience

For College; Adult audiences

Main title

Kennewick Man

Medium

electronic resource

Oclc number

747798058

Responsibility statement

Filmakers Library, Inc. presents ; a film by Kyle Carver and Ryan Purcell ; a Riverside Films production

Runtime

Sub title

an epic drama of the West

Summary

On July 28th, 1996, two college students stumbled upon an anthropological find that would change forever the way North Americans view their past. While sneaking into hydroplane races on the Columbia River in Kennewick, WA., Will Thomas and Dave Deacy noticed a human skull mired in the mud. It turned out to be one of the oldest and most complete skeletons ever found in North America. James Chatters, the anthropologist who eventually investigated the skeleton, determined that the skull had "Caucasoid" features. The word, "Caucasoid," and the subsequent carbon dating of the bones, which found them to be over 9,000 years old, ignited a firestorm of controversy. These events pitted science against religion and scientists against Native Americans. The scientists demanded the right to study the bones. The Umatilla Tribe believed the bones to be sacred and ancestral. They were adamant that the bones be repatriated to the tribes for reburial. The American government, seemingly caught in the middle due to the fact that the remains were found on Federal land, decided to repatriate the remains to the Tribe. Eight scientists then filed a lawsuit in order to block this repatriation, claiming that more study was needed to determine ownership. The documentary explores with humor and compassion the cultural assumptions and differing opinions among the various groups involved, and attempts to explain why so many have claimed the bones of Kennewick Man. The far-reaching implications for the future of American anthropology, our view of America's ancient past, and the present day relationship between Native and non-native people are addressed

Target audience

general

Contributor

Creator