Harvard Peabody Museum Repatriates Two Ancient Hair Samples to Paiute Tribe
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
Harvard’s Peabody Museum has finished checking its collection and found two Native American hair samples from the Sherman Institute in California. These remains, linked to the Paiute tribe, are ready to be returned to their communities starting January 15, 2026. If you want to request the return, contact the museum soon—this is a big step in respecting Native heritage!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Remains Eligible for Repatriation
The Peabody Museum at Harvard has determined that two Native American human remains are culturally affiliated with the Tejon Indian Tribe and may be returned to Tribal authorities or lineal descendants. Repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026, and the museum will decide among competing requests or accept joint requests as a single request.
Identified Remains and Collection Details
The notice states the remains are hair clippings from two individuals recorded as Paiute (one age 19 and one age 17) collected at the Sherman Institute between 1930 and 1933 and donated to the museum in 1935. There are no associated funerary objects listed, and written repatriation requests must be sent to the museum contact provided in the notice.
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