Government Catalogs Ancient Bones: Tennessee's Archaeological Inventory Unveiled
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and artifacts. They found a clear connection between these items and certain Native tribes, so they’re ready to return them starting January 21, 2026. This means important cultural treasures will soon go back to their rightful communities, with no cost to the public.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of Native American Remains
If you are a member or representative of the named Indian Tribes, this affects you. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation completed an inventory that identified human remains representing at least 154 individuals and 198 associated funerary objects, and determined a cultural affiliation with the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma. Repatriation to eligible requestors may occur on or after January 21, 2026.
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