Ancestral remains in Northern Marianas still to be buried

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

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.