Peabody Institute Repatriates Native Remains and Objects to Tribes
Published Date: 3/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology in Andover, MA, has finished checking their collection and found Native American human remains and some special objects. These items are linked to certain Native American tribes, and they can be returned starting April 20, 2026. If you want to request the return, you can contact the institute by mail or email.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Osage Nation Eligible for Repatriation
The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology determined the human remains of at least one adult and four associated funerary objects (one faunal bone fragment, two incised bone awls, one bone bead) are culturally affiliated with The Osage Nation. These remains and objects can be returned beginning April 20, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation and How
Repatriation requests may be submitted to Ryan Wheeler at the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology (180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810; email: [email protected]). Requests may be made by any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization identified in this notice, or by any lineal descendant, tribe, or organization not identified who shows by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or have cultural affiliation. Competing requests will be resolved by the institute; joint requests count as a single request.
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