Texas University Prepares to Return 191 Ancestors and 484 Artifacts
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Archaeological Research has finished listing 191 Native American ancestors and 484 related artifacts found in a big Texas burial site. These remains and items are linked to local tribes and can be returned starting November 16, 2026. This means tribes can soon reclaim their heritage, with no costs mentioned for the process.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
191 Native American Ancestors and 484 Artifacts Identified
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Archaeological Research completed an inventory listing human remains representing at least 191 individuals and 484 associated funerary objects (including projectile points, lithic tools, stone pipes, antler fragments, shark teeth, bone tools, and shells) from a large mortuary site in Live Oak County, Texas.
Specific Tribes Identified as Affiliated
The CAR determined there is a cultural affiliation between the remains/objects and the following groups: Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Oklahoma; Comanche Nation, Oklahoma; Kiowa Tribe; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; and the Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
Who May Request Repatriation and How
Repatriation requests may be submitted by any one or more of the tribes listed in the notice, or by any lineal descendant or tribe/organization not listed that shows cultural affiliation by a preponderance of the evidence; requests must be sent to Emily Moes at the Center for Archaeological Research and repatriation may occur on or after November 16, 2026. If competing requests are received, CAR must determine the most appropriate requestor; joint requests count as a single request.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21115, Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research, San Antonio, TX
The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Center for Archaeological Research has finished checking and listing 19 ancient human remains and over 1,100 related artifacts from sites in Wharton County, Texas. These remains are linked to Native American tribes, and starting November 16, 2026, they can be returned to those tribes. This process helps honor Native American heritage and follows important laws protecting their ancestors.
Next: 2026-21117, Notice of Inventory Completion: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Indiana University has finished checking and identified two Native American human remains linked to several tribes in Idaho. Starting November 16, 2026, these remains can be officially returned to the Coeur D'Alene, Salish and Kootenai, Kalispel, and Kootenai tribes. If you want to request the return, you need to contact the university by writing to their NAGPRA office.