The Smithsonian, which has one of the largest collections of human remains in the world, is governed by a 1989 repatriation law. After The Post began reporting on the Smithsonian’s collection of human remains, Bunch last year convened the task force to determine how the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of the American Indian would handle the human remains in their holdings. AdvertisementThe institution last year paused research on human remains unless approved by top Smithsonian officials. AdvertisementAs part of its reporting, The Post also published a public database of records that offered the most comprehensive overview of the Smithsonian’s human remains collection to date. Fineday said she found the task force’s recommendations “basic,” but she was hopeful that the institution’s public statements would help ensure that human remains were returned to their rightful heirs.

Source: Washington Post February 24, 2024 07:44 UTC