Two Arizona Museums Prepare Dyck Cliff Dwelling Repatriation
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona have finished listing human remains and related items from the Dyck Cliff Dwelling site, linked to Native American tribes. These remains and objects can be returned to the tribes starting December 14, 2026. This process respects Native American heritage and involves no costs or hazards.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation to Hopi Tribe Authorized
Human remains representing at least one individual and 78 associated funerary objects (58 textile fragments, 13 cordage fragments, two shell ankle bracelets, one gourd, one faunal bone, one ceramic sherd, one sample of tree bark, and one vegetal sample) have been found to be culturally affiliated with the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. These remains and objects that are held by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona may be returned to tribes on or after December 14, 2026.
Who May Request Repatriation
The Hopi Tribe and any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization may submit written requests for repatriation. Entities not listed may request repatriation if they show by a preponderance of the evidence that they are lineal descendants or culturally affiliated; competing requests will be resolved by the Verde Valley Archaeology Center and Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona, and repatriation may occur on or after December 14, 2026.
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