Discovery of tribal remains on the rise as development increases

"Construction of homes, roads, and bridges is stalling as bulldozers increasingly unearth Native American remains and artifacts," USA Today reported on Aug. 14. Recent cases have been reported in Washington, Arizona, California, New York, and New Mexico.

According to the report, the law requires landowners to report such discoveries-including calling a coroner-and to halt construction until a proper agreement is reached with the appropriate tribe or tribes. Such resolutions could lead to the remains being reburied elsewhere, or in some instances, the projects abandoned altogether.

"It’s happening more and more, simply because of development," Larry Myers, executive secretary of California’s Native American Heritage Commission told USA Today. Read the entire story on the newspaper’s website.