Louisiana Museum Finds Nine Ancestors Missing From Earlier Inventory
Published Date: 6/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Louisiana State University’s Museum of Natural Science found human remains from at least nine people at an old archaeological site in Louisiana. These remains, linked to Native American tribes, were missed in earlier reports but are now ready to be returned starting July 16, 2025. This update helps honor Native American heritage and follows important laws protecting their ancestors.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Nine Native American Remains Eligible for Return
Louisiana State University identified human remains representing at least nine Native American individuals from the Tchefuncte site (16ST1) in St. Tammany Parish. The remains are culturally affiliated with the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana; Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana; Jena Band of Choctaw Indians; Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; and the Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe, and may be repatriated on or after July 16, 2025.
Who Can Request Repatriation and How
Repatriation requests may be submitted to Dr. Irene Martí Gil at the LSU Museum of Natural Science (119 Foster Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, email [email protected]) by any one or more of the listed tribes or by any lineal descendant or tribe that can show, by a preponderance of the evidence, cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, LSUMNS will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
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