Kennewick man determined to be descended of Native Americans

The ancient bones discovered along the bank of the Columbia River in 1996 are related to modern-day Native Americans.

That is the determination of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after recently published DNA and skeletal analyses.

The next steps for the Corps is to review the priority of custody for any Native American Tribe who submits a claim. Under NAGPRA, a finding of cultural affiliation is a different process than a Native American determination and must be supported by a preponderance of the evidence.

For now, the bones will remain at the Burke Museum in Seattle until they can be handed over to regional tribal authorities.