Florida University to Repatriate 76 Native Remains and Artifacts
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The University of South Florida’s Anthropology Department finished checking a collection of human remains and related items, linking them to Native American tribes. Starting January 20, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes. This process affects at least 76 individuals and involves careful handling but no money changes hands.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
University Identifies 104 Native Remains
The University of South Florida’s Department of Anthropology has determined the collections include the physical remains of 104 Native American individuals and 30 associated funerary objects. The remains and objects are identified as culturally affiliated with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians; Seminole Tribe of Florida; and The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.
Repatriation Process Opens Jan 20, 2026
Repatriation may occur on or after January 20, 2026. Written requests for repatriation may be submitted by any one or more of the Indian Tribes named in the notice, or by any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named that shows by a preponderance of the evidence cultural affiliation. Send requests to Thomas J. Pluckhahn, Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620-8100, or email [email protected]. If competing requests are received, the Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida will determine the most appropriate requestor; joint repatriation requests are treated as a single request.
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