Archaeologists, tribe clash over Native remains

Archaeologists and Native Americans are clashing over Indian remains and artifacts that were excavated during a construction project in the San Francisco Bay Area, but then reburied at an undisclosed location.

Archaeologists say the burial ground and village site in Larkspur held a treasure trove of information about Coast Miwok life and should have been preserved for future study.

But The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, which made the decision to remove and rebury the remains and artifacts, say the items belonged to their ancestors, and how they are handled is no one's business but the tribe's.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the site contained 600 human burials, tools, musical instruments, harpoon tips, spears and throwing sticks from a time long before the bow and arrow.

The newspaper reports the site will be covered with multimillion-dollar homes. Construction began this month.

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