Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man And The Paleoamerican World (Exceptional Social Studies Title For Intermediate Grades)

Their Skeletons Speak: Kennewick Man and the Paleoamerican World (Exceptional Social Studies Title for Intermediate Grades)

Review"This book is the account of the Kennewick Man from the discovery of his skeleton in 1996 through today. The book weaves together this story with those of several other Paleolithic skeletons. Material is presented in a well-written manner; the explanations of the scientific methods are clear without being overly simplified. The layout and numerous accompanying photographs and illustrations enhance and expand the text. The subject of repatriation of remains to Native American groups is handled professionally and respectfully. This title is hard to put down once you start it. This would be an excellent addition to every school library." -starred, Library Media Connection"This detailed study of the discovery and forensic evaluation of the skeleton dubbed 'Kennewick Man' puts forensic TV shows to shame. From his accidental discovery in 1996 through multiple examinations by scientists with ever-improving forensic tools and years of unexpected storage due to NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Reparation), an actual human being emerges from a time long gone, speaking to us through his bones. Entering briefly into this long-term investigation are the far more shadowy figures of other Paleoamericans-Spirit Cave Man, Arch Lake Woman, and the Horn Shelter People. Scattered throughout the lucid, readable text are tightly focused informational bits on such topics as CT scans, radiocarbon dating, and NAGPRA practices. Sharp color photos, some nice artwork, and good maps provide clear visuals of the bones themselves, and the features that helped define the man and his life. A final facial reconstruction leaves readers face-to-face with a real person-someone readers would recognize if they met him on the street (we know how tall he was, how much he weighed,that one arm was stronger than the other, etc.). Walker reminds readers that it was not their relics, but living, breathing Paleoamericans who first arrived, settled, lived, and died in the long-gone American past. For those not quite ready for so much detail, try Katherine Kirkpatrick's equally distinguished Mysterious Bones: The Story of the Kennewick Man (Holiday House, 2011). Lucid writing, fine scientific explanations, and attractive bookmaking make this a winner." --starred, School Library Journal"'Thirty-five years ago,' Walker and Owsley explain, 'the peopling of the Americas, according to the Clovis-first theory, was a done deal. Today we are looking at multiple routes and peoples.' Readers not up to speed on the Clovis-first theory will get a brief cram course here; however, students who are already familiar with older theories involving an Asia-to-America land bridge crossing will better appreciate Walker and Owsley's dense, thoughtful discussion on how rapid changes in archaeological techniques and evidence reinterpretation have altered this model in recent years, and the subsequent cultural and political controversies among scientists, native claimants to ancient human remains, governments agencies, and the courts. Kennewick Man, a skeleton retrieved from the Columbia River in 1996, is the focal point of this study, an object lesson in how scientists can deduce amazing amounts of information from what may seem to the untutored viewer to be unimpressive dings, cracks, and concretions in bone or the simplest position of a limb in its final resting place. To demonstrate how far the field of paleoamerican studies has come in the past century, Walker and Owsley backtrack to discuss several other notable human remains that have altered the timetable of human settlement and place of origin. There's a lot of technical information here, on topics such as isotope-based dating techniques, tooth-shape comparison, advanced CT scans, sediment accretions, bone stress, wound recovery, and the like, but for serious readers who delight in forensic investigation or perhaps consider a future in the field, this material will push their understanding further than most titles o