Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002

Government appeals Kennewick Man ruling

By the Herald staff

The federal government has appealed the Kennewick Man ruling that allows more study of the ancient bones.

With the Monday appeal, the U.S. Department of Justice joins Northwest Indians in challenging the court ruling, which has broad implications because it deals with much-disputed legal definitions in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.

The government's legal paperwork was brief, saying only that it would challenge the judge's ruling in favor of scientists who want to study the 9,000-year-old remains found in Kennewick six years ago.