Museum Dusts Off Ancient Bones for Tribal Return Trip
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology in Andover, MA, has finished checking its collection and found Native American human remains and 20 related artifacts from Kentucky. These items are set to be returned to the affiliated tribes starting January 15, 2026. This means the museum is doing its part to respect Native American heritage and follow the law.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tribal repatriation of remains and artifacts
The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology identified human remains from at least one Native American individual and 20 associated funerary objects (lots of chipped and ground stone tools) from Big Bone Creek, Boone County, Kentucky. The Institute determined these remains and objects are affiliated with the Shawnee Tribe and they may be repatriated to affiliated tribes on or after January 15, 2026.
Who may request repatriation
Written requests for repatriation may be submitted to the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology by any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations identified in the notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not identified who shows by a preponderance of the evidence cultural affiliation. If competing requests are received, the Institute must determine the most appropriate requestor; repatriation may occur on or after January 15, 2026.
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