Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Anthropology (Forensic and Biological Anthropology)

Department or School/College

Anthropology

Committee Chair

Dr. Meradeth Houston Snow

Commitee Members

Dr. Randy Skelton, Dr. Mark Heirigs

Keywords

Lower Pecos Canyonlands, ancient DNA, stable isotopes, carbon plants, mitochondria, haplogroup

Subject Categories

Biological and Physical Anthropology | Biology

Abstract

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was created in response to the injustice, mishandling, looting, and trafficking of Native American remains and cultural artifacts. However, even with the latest amendment in December of 2023, there are still gray areas in the context and language. Notably, an issue with NAGPRA is the act only includes institutions and organizations that receive and are supported by Federal funding. Consequently, the act does not cover private collections. The main concern in these contexts is the lack of communication, awareness, and/or permission with and from descendant tribes or potential descendants when it comes to repatriation. Without communication, repatriation becomes impossible. The gray areas of these circumstances require good faith and ethics of the scientific community/institutes. This thesis therefore hopefully provides an example of this communication and repatriation within scientific and Native American communities. In addition, this research specifically encompasses this context when dealing with molecular research of an ancient Native American ancestor. The subject of this thesis is an individual who is dated to around 4,000 years ago by radiocarbon dating, specifically 3,815 years old +/- 26 from the Lower Pecos Canyonlands (LPC) of West Texas. Isotopic studies have also been conducted of δ13C and δ15N to indicate diet and region. The private individuals who inherited them revealed the ancestral remains. Even though NAGPRA did not encompass the ancestor, leaving a grey area, they still wanted to work with researchers to repatriate to the closest lineal descendant. Since the reveal of the ancient human remains local Native American communities of West Texas have been notified and have given their support to this research. Molecular studies along with inferences of isotopic studies strive to create a biological profile of the individual not only to appreciate the life once lived but to also find and hopefully reunite with the closest lineal descendants.

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© Copyright 2024 Haley P. Rebardi