University of Tennessee Lists Ancient Remains for Tribal Return
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and artifacts found in Tennessee. These remains and objects, linked to local tribes, are ready to be returned starting January 16, 2026. This means important cultural items will soon go back to their rightful communities, with no cost to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University to Return 102 Native Remains
If you are a member of an affiliated tribe or a lineal descendant, the University of Tennessee has identified human remains representing 102 individuals and six lots of associated funerary objects that are available for repatriation. Repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026, and requests must be sent to the UTK Office of Repatriation contact listed in the notice.
Five Tribes Identified as Affiliated
The University of Tennessee determined there is a cultural affiliation between the remains and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Those five tribes are named in the notice as affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects.
Who Can Request Repatriation and Resolution Rules
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the tribes named in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or other tribe that shows by a preponderance of the evidence cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the University of Tennessee must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation.
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