Tennessee University Plans Repatriation of Ancient Ceramics and Bones
Published Date: 12/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Department plans to return three special cultural items—ceramics, shells, and animal bones—from a Native American cemetery in Montgomery County, TN. These items, linked to Native American tribes, will be repatriated starting January 16, 2026. This respectful move honors Native traditions and involves no costs or hazards, making history right and fair!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation of Three Funerary Items
The University of Tennessee intends to return three unassociated funerary items — one lot of ceramics, one lot of shell, and one lot of faunal (animal bones) — recovered from a Mississippian period cemetery in Montgomery County, TN. The items are identified as culturally affiliated with the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, and repatriation may occur on or after January 16, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not listed in the notice may submit a written request for repatriation to the University of Tennessee by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. If competing requests are received, UTK must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests count as a single request.
No Known Hazardous Treatment
The University of Tennessee states that, to their knowledge, no potentially hazardous substances were used to treat any of the three cultural items described in this notice. This information pertains to safety considerations for handling and transfer of the objects.
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