Secrets of 9,000-year-old 'Kennewick Man' subject of new book

RICHLAND, Wash. – Kennewick Man is coming back into the news. A new book includes some of the key findings about the 9,000-year-old skeleton found on the banks of the Columbia River in 1996. And next month, the book’s author and the lead researcher on Kennewick Man plans to share the results of years of study.

The speech in southeast Washington is one of the first times that Doug Owsley will publicly share his team’s conclusions about these old bones. Owsley is a forensic anthropologist for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the lead scientist studying Kennewick Man.

In addition to his speech, he’s promoting his new book. It’s called "Their Skeletons Speak" and it’s intended for young readers. A larger, academic volume is expected later.

The discovery of Kennewick Man triggered a nine-year-long legal battle between scientists, the federal government and Native American tribes who claim the person they call "the Ancient One" as their ancestor.

Kennewick Man buffs -- and there are many -- should mark October 10th on their calendars. That’s the day Owsley will be giving a speech at the Wanapum Heritage Center near Beverly, Washington.

On the Web:

NOVA - Meet Kennewick Man:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/meet-kennewick-man.html

MORE EVENT INFORMATION:

Archaeology Days at Grant County PUD

Wednesday October 10, 2012

8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Hosted by the Wanapum Heritage Center and the Cultural Resource Department

15655 Wanapum Lane S.W., Beverly, Washington 99321

1 mile south of Wanapum Dam off highway 243

1:15-3:30 Dr. Douglas Owsley (Smithsonian Institution) - "What Can Be Learned from Kennewick Man"

http://www.gcpud.org/naturalResources/archaeology/wanapumHeritageCenter.html

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