Controversy and Conflict: NAGPRA and the Role of Biological Anthropology in Determining Cultural Affiliation

Biological anthropology faces ongoing challenges in interpreting cultural affiliation under NAGPRA, as demonstrated by the Chaco Culture case. The study reveals that while the law mandates repatriation of human remains and funerary objects, the field's reliance on typological perspectives limits its ability to accurately assess cultural identity. This tension highlights discrepancies in NAGPRA implementation, including varying interpretations of cultural affiliation and administrative complexities. The research combines an administrative history review with a critical analysis of biological evidence from Chaco Culture National Historical Park, underscoring the need for more nuanced approaches to studying past and present cultural identities.

Schillaci, M. A., & Bustard, W. J. (2010). Controversy and Conflict: NAGPRA and the Role of Biological Anthropology in Determining Cultural Affiliation. PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review, 33(2), 352–373. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1555-2934.2010.01118.x