Iowa Bones Found in Antique Mall Head Back to Tribes
Published Date: 8/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Iowa’s Office of the State Archaeologist has finished checking out some human remains found near Arnolds Park, Iowa, and confirmed they belong to Native American tribes. These remains, discovered in an antique mall and linked to a 1950 gravel quarry site, can be returned to the tribes starting September 23, 2026. This means the tribes can now claim and care for their ancestors’ remains respectfully and officially.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tribes Can Request Repatriation Sept 23, 2026
Tribes named in this notice and lineal descendants may request repatriation of the human remains of one Native American individual beginning September 23, 2026. The Office of the State Archaeologist has identified a cultural affiliation with the listed tribes, will accept written requests to the contact provided, will decide among competing requests, and treats joint requests as a single request.
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In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains National Park intends to carry out the disposition of unassociated funerary objects removed from Federal or Tribal lands to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization with priority for disposition in this notice.
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