New research by Danish scientists published Thursday shows that an 8,500-year-old skeleton found in Washington state 19 years ago, known as Kennewick Man, is in fact of Native American ancestry. “It’s very clear that Kennewick Man is most closely related to contemporary Native Americans,” said Eske Willerslev, the lead author. The origin of one of the oldest North American skeletons has drawn controversy, as Native American tribes have moved to reclaim and rebury the bones. The skeleton, which was at first believed to be of European ancestry, provides new perspective on how ancient peoples spread around the world. The debate over burial rites, however, continues.
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