Museum Ships Back 46K Native American Artifacts to Tribes
Published Date: 1/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History plans to return about 46,656 Native American cultural items, like stone tools and shell beads, to the tribes connected to them. This repatriation will start on or after February 27, 2026, honoring Native American heritage and history. No money changes hands, but it’s a big step in respecting and restoring important cultural treasures.
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