His story does not stand alone.

It stands within a larger genomic story of the Americas that researchers are still building, one ancient individual at a time.

The Ethics Of Ancient Bones

The discovery of ancient human remains in the United States creates legal and ethical obligations that have evolved significantly over the past several decades.

The specific legal framework — the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, passed by Congress in 1990 — establishes requirements for federal agencies and federally funded institutions to inventory holdings of Native American human remains and cultural objects, and to consult with culturally affiliated tribes about the appropriate treatment and potential repatriation of those remains.

The Hourglass Cave remains were discovered before NAGPRA was passed — the discovery occurred in 1988, two years before the law was enacted.