Petersburg Battlefield to ditch prehistoric Native bones and tools
Published Date: 7/31/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Park Service at Petersburg National Battlefield plans to return human remains and some old stone tools found during digs to Native American tribes or descendants starting August 31, 2026. If no one claims them by August 2, 2027, these remains and objects will be considered unclaimed. This affects tribes connected to the area and ensures respectful handling of these important cultural items.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation to Listed Tribes
If you are a lineal descendant or member of one of the named tribes, Petersburg National Battlefield intends to return human remains and associated funerary objects (including one individual from March 2024 and a lot of lithic flakes from July 2024) to priority claimants. Disposition may occur on or after August 31, 2026, and the Catawba Indian Nation; Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Chickahominy Indian Tribe–Eastern Division; Citizen Potawatomi Nation (Oklahoma); Delaware Nation (Oklahoma); and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe have priority for disposition.
Claim Deadline and Unclaimed Status
Written claims for disposition must be received by August 2, 2027; if no valid claim is received by that date, the human remains and associated funerary objects described in this notice will be considered unclaimed. Claims must be sent to Andrea Dekoter, Superintendent, Petersburg National Battlefield, 1539 Hickory Hill Road, Petersburg, VA 23803 (email provided in the notice); disposition may occur on or after August 31, 2026.
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