Many people believe that the first Americans came over on an ice age land bridge thousands of years ago. This claim isn't proven, nor is it fully understood. Unfortunately, there is not an easy way for us to know the truth, the real history of America, when we aren't allowed to study the only things that could possibly tell us what we need to know. Kennewick man, in a way, is the missing link for many archeologists and other scientists. It is the oldest and most complete Native American skeleton ever found. I believe that it is vital for science's sake that we study it.
             Of course, then again, scientists aren't even completely sure that "Kennewick Man" is Native American. His skull shape is very European, and his eye sockets are unusually Caucasian looking. Now, if archeologists could do a few tests on these bones, we could possibly find out if it is Native American, or if the traditional Native Americans originated from Europe, not Asia... but, under the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, these bones will be returned to one of the many tribes that are claiming ancestry of the over nine thousand, three hundred year old skeleton. Even though it is a fact that the Kennewick Man is not an ancestor of anyone living today, or that he belongs to any present day tribe.
             These many important, fact finding, tests are as most archeological tests are, non-destructive. Dr. Amy Johansson of the University of Washington states that, "All that these archaeologists want to do is test this bones, not harm or disfigure them... the tests that are needed in this case are all non-destructive and non-harmful." Therefore, the Native American community has no reason to think that their "ancestor's " bones will be damaged in any way. In fact, many Native American scientists agree that because the bones will not be especially damaged, it is acceptable for the scientists t...