Tennessee Museum to Return 233 Ancient Chickasaw Remains to Nation
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Tennessee’s McClung Museum has finished checking and identifying 233 Native American human remains and their burial items from a 1939 excavation in Tennessee. They’ve confirmed these remains belong to the Chickasaw Nation, and the museum plans to return them starting April 17, 2025. This means important cultural treasures will be respectfully sent back to the right Native community, honoring history and heritage.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 233 Native American Remains
The University of Tennessee will repatriate human remains representing at least 233 Native American individuals and 111 lots of associated funerary objects (including 53 lots of ceramics and 40 lots of lithics) removed from site 40SW20 (Indian Bluff), Stewart County, Tennessee in July–October 1939. The museum says these remains are culturally affiliated with The Chickasaw Nation, and repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2025.
Who Can Request Repatriation and How
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations named in the notice (including The Chickasaw Nation) or by any lineal descendant or tribe/organization that can show cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the University of Tennessee must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after April 17, 2025.
Condition Notes: Repairs and Preservatives
UTK reports some remains were repaired with an unknown glue and some treated with an unknown preservative, but to the museum's knowledge no potentially hazardous substances were used to treat the remains. This information is provided in the inventory and accompanies repatriation planning.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04382, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Tennessee, McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture, Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee’s McClung Museum plans to return 57 cultural items, like pottery and stone tools, to the Chickasaw Nation because these items belong to their ancestors. These objects were dug up in Tennessee back in 1939 and will be repatriated starting April 17, 2025. This respectful move honors Native American heritage and strengthens community ties without any cost impact.
Next: 2025-04384, Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
UC Davis is planning to return seven sacred cultural items—four baskets and three feather regalia lots—to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians. This repatriation will start on or after April 17, 2025, with no costs or hazards reported. The items were collected over a century ago and are deeply connected to the tribe’s heritage.