Concern covers skeletons

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Some American Indians have expressed concern about the fate of at least 10 prehistoric human skeletons removed from a construction site west of Columbus.\nArchaeologists removed the skeletons from the Menard Inc. building site this summer and took them to a laboratory at the University of Indianapolis for analysis, said Jim Mohow, senior archaeologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.\nResearchers determined the bones are between 3,000 and 7,000 years old. Morrow said he suspects the site, which measures about a third of an acre, contained other burials. But he said archaeologists can verify that only by digging and disturbing the site further.\n"We're trying to avoid doing that," Mohow said.\nAnalyzing the bones will take at least a month, Mohow said. If they reveal additional information, they will be kept for future examination. Otherwise, they could be reburied -- a decision that rests with Menard and the state, Mohow said.\nSome American Indian groups, though, are concerned the bones will be in perpetual examination.\nSally Tuttle, an Oklahoma Choctaw who lives in Kokomo, said she has heard before plans for a month-long study and reburial when bones are discovered.\n"They never get returned," Tuttle said. "Just let us have our ancestors back so we can rebury them."\nDebra Haza, a Columbus resident and member of the Odawa tribe, called the reburial delay a very serious problem in Indiana.\n"Our spirit tells us that were supposed to rebury the bones," Haza said. "If it had happened with any other cemetery, they would rebury the remains."\nBut Bill Mangold, an archaeologist with the state Department of Natural Resources, said Euro-American bones also have been studied for information about age and sex to increase the likelihood of identification.\nThe final decision about the bones' fate is usually made by DNR on expert advice.\n"We try to address concerns as much as we can," Mangold said. "My guess is the number that are kept is small, very small."\nMenard plans to issue a recommendation in a month about what should be done with the bones, according to spokesman Tom O'Neil.\nThe find likely will have little impact on Menard's 170-acre development, where construction is scheduled to begin soon. State and company officials agreed on a plan to avoid construction in the area that contained the burials.\nMenard also plans to move a retention pond slightly and incorporate the burial site into the deed to prevent future owners from disturbing it without an archaeological investigation, O'Neil said.