A Report on the Discovery and Recovery of Human Remains from Columbia Park Site, Kennewick, WA, July-September 1996

This report sets forth a more detailed accounting of the events involved in the discovery and intermittent recovery of the human skeletal elements that are today variously referred to as "Kennewick Man," or the "Ancient One." A preliminary but generalized summary of these events was prepared as part of a historic context report completed by the author in February 1998. The following report provides more specific delineation of the events surrounding the initial discovery and recovery of human remains over a period of several weeks, and provides a baseline discussion of the activities undertaken by the principals during this period of time. Copies of documents that provide primary information concerning these events and activities are listed as exhibits in Tables 1 to 4 of this report.

The timeframe covered in this discussion began on July 28, 1996 with the initial discovery of human remains by members of the public, and concludes with the formal transfer of custody for the remains from the Benton County Coroner's Office to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer District, Walla Walla, (COE Walla Walla) on September 5, 1996. The following accounting of events and activities is derived from various announcements in the press, statements prepared by individuals involved in the activities, internal files of the COE administrative record, and documents filed with the U.S. District Court in conjunction with the ongoing litigation (Bonnichsen et al. v. U.S).