PRESS RELEASE Office of the Secretary, DOI For Release: January 11, 2000 Contact: Stephanie Hanna (O)              202/208-6416              (Burke Museum)              Sherrie Boyer (O)              206/543-9267

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO RELEASE RADIOCARBON RESULTS FROM DATING OF KENNEWICK MAN
Department to Outline Next Steps - Whether Kennewick Man is "Native American" as Defined in Native American Graves Protection Act; Status of Cultural Affiliation Study

The Department of the Interior will announce on Thursday, January 13, the results of radiocarbon dating of the Kennewick Man human skeletal remains and the decision of the Department on whether these remains are to be considered "Native American" for the purposes of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 (NAGPRA).

Dr. Francis McManamon, Chief Archaeologist of the National Park Service, will also outline actions that follow this decision and the status of cultural affiliation studies.

The announcement will be made on the campus of the University of Washington at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington, on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. The Burke Museum is located at the corner of 45th NE and 17th NE. The press conference will be held near their Kennewick Man exhibit.

WHO: Dr Francis P. McManamon, Chief Archaeologist for the National Park Service.

WHERE: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, 45th NE and 17th NE, Seattle, Washington.

WHEN: Thursday, January 13, 10:00 a.m.

WHY: Radiocarbon dating results for Kennewick Man; next steps.

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