Inventory Finds No Identified Relatives for Ancestral Remains
Published Date: 11/12/2026
Notice
Summary
The University of Texas at San Antonio finished checking some old human remains and found no living relatives or tribes connected to them. Starting December 14, 2026, these remains can be returned if requested. This update affects Native American groups and anyone interested in these ancestral items, with no costs mentioned.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Repatriation Available Beginning December 14, 2026
If you are a lineal descendant, an Indian Tribe, or a Native Hawaiian organization, you may request repatriation of the human remains described in this notice and repatriation may occur on or after December 14, 2026. Written requests must be sent to Emily Moes at the Center for Archaeological Research, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 (email provided in the notice). To get the remains you must show, by a preponderance of the evidence, that you are a lineal descendant or an Indian Tribe/Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation; competing requests must be resolved by UTSA-CAR before repatriation.
UTSA-CAR Found No Known Affiliated Tribe or Descendant
The University of Texas at San Antonio Center for Archaeological Research determined the human remains represent at least three Native American individuals and that no known lineal descendant and no Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with cultural affiliation has been clearly or reasonably identified. The remains have no associated funerary objects, were commingled with cultural materials, and neither precise location nor time period can be determined.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22982, 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 listing human remains and artifacts from ancient Texas sites, linking them to Native American tribes. Starting December 14, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes. This important step respects Native heritage and follows federal law, with no costs mentioned.
Next: 2026-22984, Notice of Inventory Completion: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lakeview, OR
The Fremont-Winema National Forest in Oregon has finished checking and identifying human remains and related items found in Medicine Rock Cave. These remains belong to Native American tribes connected to the area. Starting December 14, 2026, these remains and objects can be returned to the tribes, honoring their cultural heritage without any cost to them.