# 2025-11134: A Skull Found at Duke Has Waited Decades for Repatriation

2025-11134, Notice of Inventory Completion: Duke University, Durham, NC, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2025-06-17, effective 2025-07-17 (as of 2026-11-03).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-11134
- As of: 2026-11-03
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-11134
- Title: Notice of Inventory Completion: Duke University, Durham, NC
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 90 FR 25625
- Published: 2025-06-17
- Effective: 2025-07-17
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-11-03

## In one line

A Skull Found at Duke Has Waited Decades for Repatriation

## Summary

Duke University found a Native American skull in their anthropology lab that’s been there since at least 1973. After checking with several tribes, no one claimed it, so the university is ready to return it starting July 17, 2025, if anyone steps forward. This is all part of making sure Native American remains are treated with respect and handled properly.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Duke University has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is no lineal descendant and no Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.

## Effects PRIA read

- Repatriation Available Starting July 17, 2025: benefit, low. If you are a lineal descendant, an Indian Tribe, or a Native Hawaiian organization, you may request repatriation of the human remains described in this notice on or after July 17, 2025. Requests must be sent in writing to Dr. Steven Churchill, Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Box 90383, Duk…
- Proof Standard to Make a Claim: cost, low. To get the remains, you must show by a preponderance of the evidence that you are a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation to the remains. Only requestors who meet that evidence standard may have repatriation considered.
- University Determined No Cultural Affiliation: cost, low. Duke University determined the human remains represent one Native American individual and that no lineal descendant and no Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation has been clearly identified. The university made this determination following consultation.
- Competing and Joint Repatriation Requests Rule: mixed, low. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Duke University must determine the most appropriate requestor before repatriation. Requests for joint repatriation are treated as a single request and are not considered competing requests.
- Tribes Notified and Consulted: benefit, low. Duke invited consultation from the Catawba Indian Nation; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Monacan Indian Nation; Nansemond Indian Nation; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the Tuscarora Nation. The Catawba, Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Monacan (who deferred),…

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## Sources
- [2025-11134 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/17/2025-11134/notice-of-inventory-completion-duke-university-durham-nc)
- [2025-11134 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-06-17/pdf/2025-11134.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-11133, Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-11133)
- [Next: 2025-11135, Notice of Inventory Completion: William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology, Univers…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-11135)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-11134 (as of 2026-11-03).