The research supported the conclusion that early peoples of North and South America belonged within the same broad ancestral history that gave rise to Native American populations living today.

This did not mean every ancient group was identical.

Human populations have always moved, separated, mixed, adapted, and changed.

Genetic history is not a straight line from one archaeological site to one modern community.

But the ancient DNA undermined the claim that very old remains such as Spirit Cave necessarily belonged to a vanished population unrelated to Native Americans.

That was the scientific turning point.

The legal and cultural turning point followed.

The Government Changes Course

In 2016, after nearly twenty years of dispute, the Spirit Cave remains were repatriated to the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.

The transfer ended the federal government’s custody of the ancestor.