Los Angeles Museum Plans Return of 333 Tribal Cultural Items
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History plans to return 333 cultural items to the Serrano and Tataviam tribes starting December 14, 2026. These items, found at Vasquez Rocks, include tools and artifacts important to Native American heritage. This repatriation honors tribal connections and respects their cultural history without any cost to the tribes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Return of 333 Vasquez Rocks Items
The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History plans to return 333 cultural items (including flakes, shatter, manos, pestles, bowl fragments, metates, charcoal, projectile points, and historic artifacts) recovered from site CA-LAN-360 at Vasquez Rocks. These items were identified as culturally affiliated with the Serrano and Tataviam peoples and the notice also states a connection to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
Who May Request Repatriation
Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization not named in the notice may submit a written request for the items to the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. Requestors must show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are a lineal descendant or culturally affiliated; competing requests will be resolved by the museum and joint requests are treated as a single request. Repatriation may occur on or after December 14, 2026.
Repatriation Will Not Cost Tribes
The notice states the repatriation honors tribal connections and respects their cultural history without any cost to the tribes. The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History intends to carry out the repatriation process that will not impose costs on the recipient tribes.
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