Tennessee Institutions Map Sacred Bones for Ancestral Return
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, East Tennessee State University, and University of Tennessee have finished listing Native American human remains and artifacts they found. They’ve identified which tribes these remains belong to and are ready to return them starting January 21, 2026. This means Native American groups can soon reclaim their ancestors and cultural items with no cost involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Native American Remains Ready for Repatriation
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects: at least 14 individuals and 10 associated funerary objects from Site 40SL34. The remains and objects 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. Repatriation may occur on or after January 21, 2026, and requests may be submitted by any of the named tribes or by lineal descendants or other tribes who show, by a preponderance of the evidence, cultural affiliation.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23542 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has finished checking and listing Native American human remains and artifacts. They found a clear connection between these items and certain Native tribes, so they’re ready to return them starting January 21, 2026. This means important cultural treasures will soon go back to their rightful communities, with no cost to the public.
Next: 2025-23544 — Notice of Inventory Completion: Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, FL
The Florida Department of State has finished checking some Native American human remains and found they belong to the Pueblo of Jemez tribe. Starting January 21, 2026, these remains can be returned to the tribe. This is part of a respectful effort to give back important cultural items and remains to Native communities.