South Carolina to Return Cherokee Artifacts Unearthed Decades Ago
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology plans to return five sets of Native American cultural items to the Cherokee Nation and related tribes. These items were found in South Carolina during digs from the 1960s and 1980s. The repatriation can start on or after January 20, 2026, with no costs expected for the tribes involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Five Cherokee-affiliated items will be returned
The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology intends to return five unassociated funerary objects that are affiliated with the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. The items were removed from South Carolina sites in 1967–1969 and 1984, and repatriation may begin on or after January 20, 2026; no costs are expected for the tribes involved.
Who can request repatriation and how disputes are handled
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request for repatriation by showing by a preponderance of the evidence that they are culturally affiliated or a lineal descendant. Requests must be sent to the SCIAA representative named in the notice; SCIAA will decide between competing requests and treats joint requests as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026.
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