Arizona State Uni Returns 277 Sacred Native Items After 70 Years
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Arizona State University’s archaeology center plans to return 277 Native American cultural items, including sacred objects and funerary items, to the affiliated tribes starting February 17, 2026. This important step respects Native heritage and follows federal law, with no costs mentioned. The items were originally collected from a site in Maricopa County, Arizona, back in 1955.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
ASU to Return 277 Cultural Items
Arizona State University’s Center for Archaeology and Society intends to return 277 Native American cultural items — 73 unassociated funerary objects and 204 sacred objects/objects of cultural patrimony — to affiliated groups. The items were removed from the Sce:dagi Mu:val Vaaki site in Maricopa County, Arizona in field seasons from 1955 and 1972, and repatriation may occur on or after February 17, 2026.
Six Tribes Identified as Affiliates
The notice identifies a connection between the cultural items and these groups: Ak-Chin Indian Community; Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Reservation, Arizona; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of the Salt River Reservation, Arizona; Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona; and the Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico. Those named groups are thereby recognized as culturally affiliated with the items described.
Who May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in the notice 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 ASU authorized representatives listed in the notice, and repatriation may occur on or after February 17, 2026.
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