Notice2025-22999
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology, Athens, GA
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Published
December 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58600-58603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22999]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6654; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041391; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: University of Georgia, Laboratory
of Archaeology, Athens, GA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology has completed an inventory of human remains and associated
funerary objects and has determined that there is a cultural
affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects
and Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary
objects in this notice may occur on or after January 16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Amanda Roberts
Thompson, University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology, 1125 E
Whitehall Rd., Athens, GA 30602, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6302110c01170b0c0e231604024d060716"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1574677a77617d7a78556072743b707160">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is published as part of the
National Park Service's administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA.
The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology, and additional
information on the determinations in this notice, including the results
of consultation, can be found in its inventory or related records. The
National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this
notice.
Abstract of Information Available
Human remains and associated funerary objects were removed from the
Lower Coastal Plain Physiographic Province of Georgia, including Bryan
County sites 9BN7 Seven Mile Bend, 9BN9 Red Bird Creek, 9BN10 Kilkenny;
Chatham County sites 9CH_, 9CH14 Oemler Mound, 9CH15 Haven Home (Indian
Kings Tomb), 9CH61 Pagan Plum, 9CH71 Groves Creek, 9CH119, 9CH683
Habersham Mounds; Glynn County sites 9GN1 Airport, 9GN3 Charlie King
Mound, 9GN6 Evelyn, 9GN22 Kelvin Grove Plantation, 9GN34 Sea Island
Point, 9GN40 Belle Point, 9GN51 Kent Mound, 9GN54 Goodyear Mound, 9GN55
Taylor Mound, 9GN56 Oatland Mound, 9GN74 Sea Palms, 9GN88 Kutwick;
Liberty County sites LI Shoreline Survey, 9LI8 Fallen Tree, 9LI21
Meeting House Field, 9LI207 Back Creek Village, 9LI231 St. Catherines
Shell Ring, 9LI274 Mission Santa Catalina de Guale, 9LI648, McQueen
Shell Ring, 9LI2111 Hope Mound, 9LI2117 Pueblo North; McIntosh County
sites 9MC_Site 147, 9MC_Harris Neck, 9MC4 Townsend Mound, 9MC64 Pine
Harbor Mound, 9MC404 The Thicket, 9MC414 Little Pine Island and from
unprovenienced areas in Chatham County, Liberty County, Glynn County,
and McIntosh County.
Human remains representing at least 24 individuals have been
identified. The approximately 496 associated funerary objects include
faunal bone, shell, charcoal, shell and bone mix, shell beads,
ceramics. These ancestors and objects were recovered in excavations by
Fred Cook in 1971 at 9BN7, Seven Mile Bend in Bryan County, Georgia.
Cook likely brought the collection to the University of Georgia,
Laboratory of Archaeology after the project but the date is not known.
There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least five individuals have been
identified. The approximately 183 associated funerary objects include
faunal bone, lithic, and ceramics. These ancestors and objects were
excavated by Charles Pearson and Chester DePratter in 1973 at 9BN9, Red
Bird Creek in Bryan County, Georgia. Pearson and DePratter likely
brought the collection to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology after the project but the date is not known. There is no
record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least three individuals have been
identified. The approximately 47 associated funerary objects include
shell beads. These ancestors and objects were recovered in excavations
by Fred Cook in 1968 at 9BN10, Kilkenny Mound in Bryan County, Georgia.
Cook likely brought the collection to the University of Georgia,
Laboratory of Archaeology after the project but the date is not known.
There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. The approximately 26 associated funerary objects include
ceramics, clay, nail, lithic, shell, faunal bone, and charcoal/burnt
wood. The ancestor and objects were recovered in excavations from an
unknown location in Chatham County, Georgia. Howard and DePratter's
names are written on other bags in this box (from other sites). So, it
is probable that this unknown site was part of the NSF surface survey
they were conducting in the 1970s. It is likely the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after
the project but the date is not known. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Chester DePratter
and Pennington collected at 9CH14 Oemler Marsh Mound in Chatham County,
Georgia in 1978. It is likely the collection was brought to the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after the project but
the date is not known. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least four individuals have been
identified. The approximately 364 associated funerary objects include
ceramics. These ancestors and objects were excavated from 9CH15, Haven
Home in Chatham County, Georgia. The collection history is somewhat
unclear, but it is known that excavations occurred at the site in the
late 1930s. At some point in 1972, 1 associated funerary object was
transferred to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology.
Ancestors and associated funerary objects were transferred from the
University of West Georgia and Fernbank Natural History Museum in 2025.
There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Chester DePratter
and Don Crusoe excavated at 9CH61, Pagan Plum Point in Chatham County,
Georgia in early 1970s. It is likely the collection was brought to the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after the
[[Page 58601]]
project but the date is not known. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least seven individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Erv Garrison
excavated at 9CH71, Grove's Creek in Chatham County, Georgia between
1985 and 2009. There was also an earlier excavation in 1970. It is
unclear when the ancestors were removed from the site but based on the
label on the box, it was before 1993. It is likely the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after
this date. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. The approximately 16 associated funerary objects include
ceramics, soil, charcoal, and sandstone concretions. Chester DePratter
collected at 9CH119, in Chatham County, Georgia around 1974. It is
likely the collection was brought to the University of Georgia,
Laboratory of Archaeology after this date. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. The approximately 22 associated funerary objects include
lithics, burnt wood, burnt shell, burnt clay, and ceramics. Fred Cook
collected at 9CH683, Habersham Mounds in Chatham County, Georgia around
1981. It is likely the collection was brought to the University of
Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after this date. There is no record
of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least three individuals have been
identified. The approximately 26 associated funerary objects include
faunal bone. Fred Cook collected at 9GN1, Airport in Glynn County,
Georgia during an unknown year. It is likely the collection was brought
to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other
collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is no
record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Fred Cook
collected at 9GN3, Charlie King Mound in Glynn County, Georgia during
an unknown year. It is likely the collection was brought to the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other collections
excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. The approximately two associated funerary objects include
ochre sand/clay. Chester DePratter and Bill Steed excavated at 9GN6,
Evelyn in Glynn County, Georgia in 1968. It is likely the collection
was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology
after this date. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least two individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Fred Cook
collected at 9GN22, Kelvin Grove Plantation in Glynn County, Georgia
during an unknown year. It is likely the collection was brought to the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other collections
excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Chester DePratter
and Don Crusoe collected an eroding burial at 9GN34, Sea Island Point
in Glynn County, Georgia in approximately 1971. It is likely the
collection was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology after this date. There is no record of any potentially
hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Chester DePratter
and Don Crusoe collected at 9GN40, Belle Point in Glynn County, Georgia
in approximately 1971. It is likely that the collection was brought to
the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after this date.
There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 84 individuals have been
identified. The approximately 896 associated funerary objects include
shell/bone/charcoal mix, shell, shell pins, carved bone, shell beads,
pearl beads, glass beads, ceramics, lithics, mica and galena, faunal
bone, and charcoal. Fred Cook excavated at 9GN51, Kent Mound in Glynn
County Georgia around 1965. It is likely that part of the collection
was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology
with other collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. Part
of the collection was also brought to Skidaway Institute before it was
transferred to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology in
approximately 2018. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least three individuals have been
identified. The approximately four associated funerary objects include
charcoal and faunal bone. Fred Cook and Charles Pearson collected at a
previously looted portion of 9GN54, Goodyear Mound in Glynn County,
Georgia during an unknown year. It is likely that the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with
other collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is
no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 12 individuals have been
identified. The approximately 3,283 associated funerary objects include
shell beads, crab claw, faunal bone, lithics, ceramics, possible pearl
beads, copper rivet, botanicals, unidentified iron, nails, iron axe,
coins, and shell ear pins. Fred Cook excavated at 9GN55, Taylor Mound
in Glynn County Georgia between 1968 to 1972. It is likely the
collection was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology with other collections excavated by Cook but the year is
unknown. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least two individuals have been
identified. The approximately 159 associated funerary objects include
shell beads, shell ear plug, faunal bone, antler, and ceramics. Charles
Pearson and Fred Cook excavated at 9GN56, Oatland Mound in Glynn
County, Georgia between 1968 and 1972. It is likely the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with
other collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is
no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 17 individuals have been
identified. The approximately 10 associated funerary objects include
ceramics and faunal bone from burial fill. Fred Cook conducted
excavations and surface collecting at 9GN74, Sea Palms in Glynn County,
Georgia in 1972. It is likely that the collection was brought to the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other collections
excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Fred Cook
collected at 9GN88, Kutwick in Glynn County, Georgia on an unknown
date. It is likely the collection was brought to the University of
Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other collections excavated by
Cook but the year is unknown. There is no record of any potentially
hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified.
[[Page 58602]]
There are no associated funerary objects. The ancestor identified here
was surface collected along the shoreline of St. Catherines Island in
Liberty County, Georgia by the American Museum of Natural History. The
collection was transferred by the American Museum of Natural History to
the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology in 2017. There is
no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 97 individuals have been
identified. There are approximately 5,722 associated funerary objects
including ochre, daub, fired clay, lithics, shell, ceramics, ceramic
bead, ceramic disc, shell beads, shell gorgets, worked shell, pearl,
tabby, sandstone, petrified wood, faunal bone, bone tools, unidentified
metal, metal scale, lead shot, nails, mica, gunflints, coprolite, pipe,
fired clay, flotation samples, carbon 14 samples, botanicals, and soil.
The American Museum of Natural History excavated at 9LI8, Fallen Tree
in Liberty County, Georgia between 2013 and 2015. The collection was
transferred by the American Museum of Natural History to the University
of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology in 2022. There is no record of
any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least six individuals have been
identified. The approximately 217 associated funerary objects include
lithics, mica, dog burial, faunal bone, bone tools, and ceramics.
Joseph Caldwell excavated at 9LI18, Johns Mound in Liberty County,
Georgia between approximately 1969 and 1970. The collection was
transferred to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology
after this time. In approximately 2004, the majority of the collection
was transferred by the American Museum of Natural History to the
Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The ancestors and objects in this
notice were missed during this transfer. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. The 82 associated funerary objects include ceramics, pipe
fragments, and ochre. The American Museum of Natural History excavated
at 9LI21, Meeting House Field in Liberty County, Georgia between 2009
and 2015. The entire collection was transferred by the American Museum
of Natural History to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology in 2017. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. American Museum
of Natural History initially identified 9LI207, Back Creek Village in
Liberty County, Georgia in 1977 and excavations were conducted there
between 1991 and 2008. The entire collection was transferred by the
American Museum of Natural History to the University of Georgia,
Laboratory of Archaeology in 2017. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least two individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. American Museum
of Natural History excavated at 9LI231, St. Catherines Shell Ring in
Liberty County between 2006 and 2007. The entire collection was
transferred by the American Museum of Natural History to the University
of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology in 2017. There is no record of
any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 16 individuals have been
identified. There are approximately 20 associated funerary remains
including copper arm band and copper fragments. The American Museum of
Natural History excavated at 9LI648, McQueen Shell Ring in 2007 and
2008. The collection was transferred by the American Museum of Natural
History to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology in
2022. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least three individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. American Museum
of Natural History excavated at 9LI2111, Hope Mound in Liberty County
in approximately 2012. The entire collection was transferred by the
American Museum of Natural History to the University of Georgia,
Laboratory of Archaeology in 2017. There is no record of any
potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. American Museum
of Natural History excavated at 9LI2117, Pueblo North in Liberty County
in 2005 and 2011. The entire collection was transferred by the American
Museum of Natural History to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology in 2017. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are approximately seven associated funerary objects
including ceramics. The University of Georgia conducted a survey for
the Soil Conservation Service in 1975. The ancestor and objects from
this excavation are from an unknown site (only identified as Site 147)
in McIntosh County, Georgia. It is likely that the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology after
this date. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. Fred Cook
collected from on unknown site (only identified as Harris Neck) in
McIntosh County, Georgia at an unknown date. It is likely that the
collection was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology with other collections excavated by Cook but the year is
unknown. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are approximately 24 associated funerary objects
including charcoal/burnt wood, shell necklace, stone discs, nails,
shell, faunal bone, and ceramics. Fred Cook excavated at 9MC4, Townsend
Mound in McIntosh County, Georgia in 1970. It is likely that the
collection was brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology with other collections excavated by Cook but the year is
unknown. There is no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 148 individuals have been
identified. There are approximately 3,591 associated funerary objects
including shell, faunal bone, shell/faunal bone/ceramic mix, burnt
clay, charcoal, lithics, wood, ceramics, unmodified rocks, shell
gorgets, shell beads, shell ear pin, pearl beads, shell pendant, metal/
copper rings, nails, ochre/ferrous oxide, pipe fragments, glass beads,
and botanicals. Fred Cook excavated at 9MC64, Pine Harbor in McIntosh
County, Georgia in the 1970s. It is likely the collection was brought
to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with other
collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is no
record of any potentially hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least 43 individuals have been
identified. There are approximately 422 associated funerary objects
including ceramics, lithics, carbon 14 samples, charcoal, soil, pipe
fragments, shell, faunal bone, burnt clay, botanicals, bead, burnt
wood, and shell. Fred Cook excavated at 9MC414, Little Pine Island in
McIntosh County, Georgia in 1987-1988. It is likely the collection was
brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology with
other collections excavated by Cook but the year is unknown. There is
no record of any potentially hazardous substances.
[[Page 58603]]
Human remains representing at least one individual have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. This ancestor was
only labeled CN 1443/Spec 808. Due to limited information on the labels
and bags in which they were found, the provenience of the ancestor is
uncertain but likely from Glynn County, Georgia. It is unknown when the
ancestors were brought to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of
Archaeology. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Human remains representing at least 6 individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. The ancestors
were labeled as ``Unprovenienced Georgia Coast Burial 1 and 2.'' They
were transferred from the Marine Research Extension Service Museum on
Skidaway Island to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology
by Elizabeth Misner in 1993. There is no record of any potentially
hazardous substances.
Human remains representing at least three individuals have been
identified. There are no associated funerary objects. The ancestors
were labeled as being from Ogeechee, which is located along the coast
of Georgia. Based on available information, the ancestors were
transferred from the Marine Research Extension Service Museum on
Skidaway Island to the University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology
on an unknown date. There is no record of any potentially hazardous
substances.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is clearly identified by geographic location and
acquisition history of the human remains and associated funerary
objects described in this notice.
Determinations
The University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology has determined
that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 508 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 15,619 objects described in this notice are reasonably
believed to have been placed intentionally with or near individual
human remains at the time of death or later as part of the death rite
or ceremony.
<bullet> There is a connection between the human remains and
associated funerary objects described in this notice and the Seminole
Tribe of Florida and The Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Requests for Repatriation
Written requests for repatriation of the human remains and
associated funerary objects in this notice must be sent to the
authorized representative identified in this notice under ADDRESSES.
Requests for repatriation may be submitted by:
1. Any one or more of the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian
organizations identified in this notice.
2. Any lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization not identified in this notice who shows, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the requestor is a lineal
descendant or an Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization with
cultural affiliation.
Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects
described in this notice to a requestor may occur on or after January
16, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the
University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology must determine the
most appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint
repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects are
considered a single request and not competing requests. The University
of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology is responsible for sending a copy
of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
identified in this notice and any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.
Dated: November 21, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-22999 Filed 12-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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