Kennewick Man: An Epic Drama of the West

A film by Kyle Carver and Ryan Purcell

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.

86 min. Video. Sale $295. Rental $75

"Recommended for Anthropology, Law, Multicultural Studies, Native American Studies." David M. Liberty, StreamNet Library, Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission for Educational Media Reviews Online

"a meticulous documentary telling a terrific story..." The Seattle Times

Cucalorus Festival of Independent Film, 2002
American Indian Film Festival, 2001