UAB to Repatriate Flood-Submerged Native Treasures and Remains
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has finished checking its collection and found human remains and special objects linked to Native American tribes. These items, from a historic site flooded in the 1960s, can be returned to the tribes starting August 31, 2026. If you want to request the return, contact UAB’s Anthropology Department soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Available to Listed Tribes
If you are a member of any of the listed tribes or a lineal descendant, you may request repatriation of two Native American ancestors and three associated funerary objects held by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Repatriation may occur on or after August 31, 2026; send written requests to Dr. Lauren Downs, UAB Department of Anthropology, UH 3165, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, or email [email protected].
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15495, Notice of Inventory Completion: The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has finished checking its collection and found human remains linked to Native American tribes. These remains, from a cave site in Alabama, can be returned to the tribes starting August 31, 2026. This means the university is ready to give back these important ancestors, respecting Native American heritage without any cost or delay.
Next: 2026-15497, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research, San Antonio, TX
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research (UTSA-CAR) has completed an inventory of human remains and has determined that there is no lineal descendant and no Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation.