Ancestral remains in Northern Marianas still to be buried

11:50 am on 6 January 2020

There are hundreds of ancestral remains in the Northern Marianas that remain unburied after they were exhumed from different locations on the islands.

The 200 room hotel and casino Imperial Pacific Resort under construction in Saipan, CNMI

The latest ancestral remains were found during construction of the Imperial Pacific Casino and Resort on Saipan. Photo: RNZ/Mark Rabago

The Indigenous Affairs Office said the more than 700 remains were kept in a secure and well-maintained area until the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) received funding.

The HPO, which is the agency in charge of the ancestral remains, will have to decide whether the reburial ceremony will be "cultural" and have the remains wrapped in a garment or coconut leaves.

The latest ancestral remains were found during the construction of the Imperial Pacific Casino and Resort on Saipan.

The remains which have been exhumed, including those from a previous excavation on the same site, are kept in their warehouse.