The Impact of DNA Analysis Technology on the Rate of NAGPRA Repatriations

Abstract

This paper investigates whether recent advancements in DNA analysis technology have impacted the rate with which Native American remains are repatriated, or returned, to linear descendants or culturally affiliated tribes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether DNA analysis technology has effected repatriation rates specifically in Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) cases. This paper compiles information for all NAGPRA notices published in the National Register to conduct a statistical analysis of the rate of repatriations between 2011 and 2021. The resulting figures demonstrate that DNA analysis technology had an extremely slight effect on the rate of repatriation. The paper then concludes that this may be due to the difficulties in implementing DNA analysis as a culturally acceptable Archaeological methodology.