Final answer:
The initial identification of Kennewick Man as a 'Caucasian' by anthropologists was problematic due to the lack of scientific validity of the racial classification and the Eurocentric bias it perpetuated. It also disregarded the claims of Native American tribes who believed he was one of their ancestors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial identification of Kennewick Man as a 'Caucasian' by anthropologists was problematic for several reasons. Firstly, the term 'Caucasian' is a racial classification that has been widely criticized for its lack of scientific validity. Anthropologists now understand that race is a social construct and that genetic diversity is not neatly categorized into distinct racial groups.
Secondly, the identification of Kennewick Man as 'Caucasian' overlooked the physical characteristics and genetic ancestry that actually indicated a closer relation to Asian groups in Japan and Polynesia. This misidentification perpetuated a Eurocentric bias that had long been present in the field of anthropology.
Lastly, the identification of Kennewick Man as 'Caucasian' disregarded the claims of Native American tribes who believed he was one of their ancestors. This further perpetuated the marginalization and erasure of Native American perspectives in the field of anthropology.