Tennessee Archaeology Division Ready to Repatriate Ancient Human Remains
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Archaeology Division has finished checking and identifying Native American human remains from two sites in Tennessee. Starting January 20, 2026, these remains can be returned to the affiliated tribes. This process respects Native American heritage and involves no costs or hazards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Two Native Remains Eligible for Repatriation
The Tennessee Division of Archaeology identified human remains representing at least two Native American individuals from Site 40CH20 (Cheatham County) and Site 40SU24 (Sumner County). These remains may be returned to affiliated tribes on or after January 20, 2026, and the inventory notes donations in 1983 and 1996 with no known hazardous exposure.
Who Can Request Repatriation and Process
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the named Indian Tribes (including Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Shawnee Tribe; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; The Osage Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma) or by a lineal descendant or tribe not named who shows affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence. If competing requests are received, the Tennessee Division of Archaeology will decide the most appropriate requestor; joint requests are treated as a single request.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04606, Alaska; Hunting and Trapping in National Preserves
The National Park Service wants to update hunting and trapping rules in Alaska’s national preserves to bring back long-standing practices that support state-authorized wildlife harvests and public access. These changes affect hunters, trappers, and anyone using Alaska park lands, aiming to balance conservation with local traditions. You’ve got until April 9, 2026, to share your thoughts—no new fees or costs are expected.
2026-20013, Agency Information Collection Activities; Archeology Permit Applications and Reports
The National Park Service wants to keep collecting info for archeology permits and reports, making sure the process stays smooth and clear. This affects archeologists and anyone applying for permits to dig or study artifacts in parks. They’re asking for comments by October 30, 2026, but no changes to fees or big costs are planned.
2026-20015, Agency Information Collection Activities; National Park Service Concessions Forms
The National Park Service is asking to keep using their current forms for park concessions, like shops and services, without changes. This affects businesses working with the parks and helps reduce paperwork hassle. You’ve got until October 30, 2026, to share your thoughts—no fees or new costs involved!
2026-19996, Notice of Intended Repatriation: California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA
California State University, Sacramento plans to return over 8,500 cultural items to Native American tribes connected to northern Tehama County. These items include stones, bones, pigments, and historic materials, and the repatriation can start on or after October 30, 2026. This move respects Native heritage and involves no cost to the public but honors important cultural ties.
2026-19002, National Park Service Alaska Region Subsistence Resource Commission Program; Notice of Public Meetings
The National Park Service is holding meetings for Alaska's Subsistence Resource Commissions to discuss local hunting, fishing, and gathering rules. These meetings affect residents who rely on park resources and will happen mostly in October and November 2026, with one in February 2027. No big costs are expected, but these talks help keep subsistence traditions alive and fair.
2026-18306, Official Trail Marker for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
This notice issues the official trail marker insignia for the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail in the National Trails System. The original graphic image for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail was developed in 2026 with the completion of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail Comprehensive Plan. The National Park Service and related agencies have officially adopted and use this insignia to help mark all designated alignments of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23192, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
The University of Kansas finished checking its collection of Native American human remains and artifacts and found no direct descendants or tribes connected to them. Starting January 20, 2026, these remains and items can be returned if requested. This update affects many tribes who were invited to consult, but no cultural ties were found, so the university is ready to repatriate these ancestors and their belongings.
Next: 2025-23194, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Indianapolis Museum of Art, Inc. D.B.A. Newfields, Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Museum of Art, also known as Newfields, plans to return a sacred Native American basket to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This special basket, held since 1924, will be repatriated starting January 20, 2026. This respectful act helps honor Native traditions and strengthens cultural ties without any cost to the public.