# 2026-12379: Institute to Send Arkansas Pottery Back to Tribes

2026-12379, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, Andover, MA, is a Federal Register notice from Interior Department, National Park Service published 2026-06-22, effective 2026-07-22 (as of 2026-06-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12379
- As of: 2026-06-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12379
- Title: Notice of Intended Repatriation: Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology, Andover, MA
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Interior Department; National Park Service
- Citation: 91 FR 37135
- Published: 2026-06-22
- Effective: 2026-07-22
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-29

## In one line

Institute to Send Arkansas Pottery Back to Tribes

## Summary

The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology in Andover, MA, plans to return 44 groups of old Native American pottery and artifacts to the tribes connected to them. These items were dug up in Arkansas over 100 years ago and will be sent back starting July 22, 2026. This respectful move helps honor Native American heritage without any cost or danger involved.

## Abstract

In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology intends to repatriate certain cultural items that meet the definition of unassociated funerary objects and that have a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.

## Effects PRIA read

- Return of 44 Native Artifacts: benefit, medium. The Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology intends to repatriate 44 lots of unassociated funerary objects (ceramic vessels and sherds) that were excavated in Arkansas between 1908 and 1913. The items have a cultural affiliation to the Quapaw Nation and may be returned on or after July 22, 2026.
- Who Can Request Repatriation: benefit, low. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit a written request to claim the items if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated. Send requests to Ryan Wheeler, Robert S. Peabody Institute of Archaeology,…
- No Known Hazardous Substances: benefit, low. The notice states there is no known presence of any potentially hazardous substances associated with these cultural items. That means the Institute has identified no known chemical or safety hazards tied to the artifacts being repatriated.

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## Sources
- [2026-12379 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/22/2026-12379/notice-of-intended-repatriation-robert-s-peabody-institute-of-archaeology-andover-ma)
- [2026-12379 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-22/pdf/2026-12379.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-12378, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Ball State University, Muncie, IN](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12378)
- [Next: 2026-12380, Notice of Intended Repatriation: Wesleyan University, Archaeology & Anthropolog…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12380)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12379 (as of 2026-06-29).