Alabama Art Museum Returns Tribal Funerary Objects Home
Published Date: 8/31/2026
Notice
Summary
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) 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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum to Return Three Burial Items
The Birmingham Museum of Art intends to return three unassociated funerary objects — one pipe bowl, one string of shell beads, and one axe head — that were removed from Lauderdale County, Alabama and donated to the museum in 1969. The museum has determined these items have a cultural affiliation with The Chickasaw Nation.
Who Can Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization can submit a written request to repatriate the items if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or are culturally affiliated. Requests must be sent to the museum contact listed in the notice (Dr. Anne Forschler-Tarrasch).
Timing and Competing Claims Rule
Repatriation of the items may occur on or after September 30, 2026. If competing requests are received, the Birmingham Museum of Art must determine the most appropriate requestor, and joint requests are treated as a single request.
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