Memphis Pyramid Displays Indian Remains

In April of 1998, over the protests of Indian people in Tennessee, the Memphis Pyramid opened an exhibit called the "Ancestors of the Incas" which featured the mummified remains of three Indian people from South America on display. Despite the fact the display of Native American remains is illegal in Tennessee (TCA 11-6-117), and despite the fact that the importation of human remains into the state of Tennesse is also illegal (TCA 11-6-118), Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons decided that the exhibit could go ahead as planned.

Gibbons stated that in his opinion, since the remains in the exhibit were from South America, they were not Native American, therefore the exhibit did not violate TCA 11-6-117. He then claimed that TCA 11-6-118 applies only to Native American remains (the statute does not mention Native Americans at all), and again, since the remains were from South America they were not Native American, so the exhibit did not violate TCA 11-6-118, in his opinion.

This is the most incredible legal stretch we've ever heard. Perhaps the most important 'legal' consideration was that the city of Memphis owns the Pyramid and sponsored the exhibit.

Less than ten years ago in Tennessee, it was common for Native American skeletons to be publicly viewed during artifact shows and other activities. The laws that apply to the display and importation of Indian remains were passed because of the concerns that Native Americans in Tennessee have for our all of ancestors, whether they are from North or South America. They are meant to insure that the remains of our ancestors are treated with dignity and respect. We take them extremely seriously.

However, they obviously have their limits. If the violators are wealthy and powerful enough, the laws that are intended to address our concerns can be summarily dismissed.