Notice2025-23388
Notice of Inventory Completion: Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, MS
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Published
December 19, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59546-59548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23388]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6767; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041530; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Mississippi Department of
Archives and History, Jackson, MS
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 Mississippi Department of Archives and
History (MDAH) 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 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Jaquelin Padilla,
Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Historic Preservation
Division, 100 South State Street, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dab0aabbbeb3b6b6bb9ab7bebbb2f4b7a9f4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="680218090c0104040928050c090046051b460f071e">[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
Mississippi Department of Archives and History, 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
Based on the information available, in 2018, human remains from
22DS511 (Dogwood Ridge) were listed in a Notice of Inventory
Completion, published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2018 (FR
2018-07699). In 2021, human remains and associated funerary objects
from 22DS500 (Walls), 22DS501 (Lake Cormorant), 22DS504 (Harris),
22DS509 (Edgefield), 22DS511 (Dogwood Ridge), 22DS514 (Cheatham),
22DS516 (Irby), 22DS517 (Woodlyn), 22DS519 (Shannon #2), 22DS526
(Migva), 22DS506 (McKay's Store), 22DS500/504 (Walls/Harris), and
22DS000/D1979.07.01 (Harris Property) were listed in a Notice of
Inventory Completion, published in the Federal Register on January 22
2021 (FR 2021-01340). The same year, human remains from 22DS501 (Lake
Cormorant), 22DS512 (Shannon Mound), 22DS513 (Norfolk), and 22DE526/527
(22DS526/527) were listed in a Notice of Inventory Completion,
published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2021 (FR 2021-07698). In
2022, human remains and associated funerary objects from 22DS500
(Walls), 22DS514 (Cheatham), and 22DS517 (Woodlyn) were listed in a
Notice of Inventory Completion, published in the Federal Register on
July 14, 2022 (FR 2022-15041). In 2023, human remains from MAGS Lot #26
(Old River Bank at Walls) and 22DS514 (Cheatham) were listed in a
Notice of Inventory Completion, published in the Federal Register on
March 29, 2023 (FR 2023-06475). These human remains and associated
funerary objects were repatriated to The Chickasaw Nation. The current
notice includes additional human remains and associated funerary
objects not included in the previous repatriations by the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified from 22DS500 (Walls). The 10 lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot ceramics, one lot faunal remains, one lot
lithics, one lot organic materials, one lot clay, one lot matrix, one
lot petrified wood, one lot discoidal, one lot shell, and one lot wood.
Two collections were removed from the site by Memphis State University
in 1966 and 1975. Another collection was removed from the site between
1990-1991 by Memphis State University staff and volunteers. All three
collections were housed at the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa until
they were transferred to the DeSoto County Museum between 2012-2015.
These collections were transferred from the DeSoto County Museum to
MDAH in 2019. MDAH also has a collection that was removed from the site
by ``Bradley,'' who was associated with the University of Mississippi,
a collection from a Howard Mize, and a collection with an unknown
history.
Human remains representing, at least, 15 individuals have been
identified from 22DS501 (Lake Cormorant). The nine lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot faunal remains, one lot lithics,
one lot clay, one lot Native American ceramics, one lot organic
materials, one lot ochre, one lot bead, one lot discoidal, and one lot
shell. The human remains and objects were collected from the site on at
least five occasions from 1963 through 1990 by the University of
Memphis as surface collections, burial recovery, and through
excavations. These collections were transferred to the DeSoto County
Museum between 2013-2015 and then to the MDAH in 2019. There was also a
1999 surface collection from a Mary E. Starr and a collection with
unknown history.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS504 (Harris) previously listed in a Notice of
Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on January 22,
2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The six lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot Native American ceramics, one lot
lithics, one lot shell, one lot clay, one lot ochre, and one lot faunal
remains. This site has collections removed from the surface in 1983 and
1991 by the University of Memphis. Some objects were also donated to
the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa by an H. Osborn in 1983. The
collections were transferred from the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa to
the DeSoto County Museum between 2012-2015 and then to MDAH in 2019.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS500/504 (Walls/Harris) previously listed in a
Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The five lots of
associated funerary objects consist of one lot ceramics, one lot shell,
one lot lithics, one lot clay, and one lot faunal remains. The C.H.
Nash Museum at Chucalissa received a surface collection from Memphis
State University. Some objects were also donated to the C.H. Nash
Museum at Chucalissa by collector H. Osborn in 1983. The collections
were transferred from the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa to the DeSoto
County Museum between 2012-2015 and then to MDAH in 2019.
[[Page 59547]]
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS506 (McKay's Store) previously listed in a
Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The five lots of
associated funerary objects consist of one lot Native American
ceramics, one lot lithics, one lot clay, one lot faunal remains, and
one lot shell. Some of these objects were collected as a surface
collection in 1972 by the University of Memphis and a 1950s surface
collection was given to the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa in 1984.
Both collections were transferred to the DeSoto County Museum between
2013-2015 and then to MDAH in 2019.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DS509 (Edgefield). The three lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot Native American
ceramics, and one lot clay. The human remains and some of the objects
are associated with the 2013 Mississippi Mound Trail excavations.
Additional objects were excavated by the University of Memphis in 1962.
The collection saw a series of transfers from the C.H. Nash Museum at
Chucalissa to the DeSoto County Museum between 2013-2015 and then to
the MDAH in 2019.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DS511 (Dogwood Ridge). The 10 lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot shell, one lot
Native American ceramics, one lot clay, one lot ochre, one lot organic
materials, one lot faunal remains, one lot discoidal, one lot wood, and
one lot petrified wood. MDAH has collections from multiple excavations
and surveys at 22DS511 spanning over 20 years. A surface collection was
removed by the University of Memphis as part of the Tennessee
Archaeological survey in 1972. Another surface collection took place
when they revisited the site in 1998-1999. There is also a collection
from a 1977 burial salvage excavation conducted by the Mississippi
Department of Archives and History.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS512 (Shannon Mound) previously listed in a
Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on
January 22, 2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The five lots of
associated funerary objects consist of one lot faunal remains, one lot
Native American ceramics, one lot clay, one lot lithics, and one lot
shell. A collection was removed from the surface of the site by Memphis
State University in 1971 and transferred to the DeSoto County Museum in
2015 and then to MDAH in 2019.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DS513 (Norfolk). The six lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot Native American ceramics, one lot petrified
wood, one lot faunal remains, one lot lithics, one lot clay, and one
lot organic materials. A collection removed from the surface of the
site in 1989 by the University of Memphis. The collection was
transferred from the DeSoto County Museum to MDAH in 2019.
Human remains representing, at least, 18 individuals have been
identified from 22DS514 (Cheatham). The 12 lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot clay, one lot effigy, one lot ceramics, one
lot lithics, one lot faunal remains, one lot shell, one lot organic
materials, one lot beads, one lot ochre, one lot wood, one lot
earspool, and one lot discoidal. The human remains and objects were
removed from the site by Memphis State University and C.H. Nash Museum
at Chucalissa staff in 1971, 1972, 1991, and 1997. The Principal
Investigator (PI) for the 1997 surface collection was Dr. David H. Dye.
These collections were housed at the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa and
were then transferred to the DeSoto County Museum between 2013-2015. In
2019, the collection was transferred to MDAH.
Human remains representing, at least, nine individuals have been
identified from 22DS516 (Irby). The 14 lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot clay, one lot faunal
remains, one lot shell, one lot Native American ceramics, one lot
organic materials, one lot discoidal, one lot petrified wood, one lot
ochre, one lot finescreen, one lot effigy, one lot gorget, one lot
samples, and one lot bead. The collection consists of human remains and
objects removed from the site in 1966, 1967, and 1972 by staff from the
Memphis State University and C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa as well as
some objects removed prior to 1997, and some objects removed from the
site at unknown point. These collections were all housed at the C.H.
Nash Museum at Chucalissa until 2013-2015, when they were transferred
to the DeSoto County Museum. In 2019, they were transferred to MDAH.
Additional collections consisting of materials and human remains were
removed from the site between 1989-1990 during a ``Controlled Surface
Collection'' and some material removed from test excavations conducted
in 1992 by M.E. Starr and Memphis State University (Lee Foster).
Lastly, there is an unprovenienced ``DAP'' survey collection.
Human remains representing, at least, 14 individuals have been
identified from 22DS517 (Woodlyn). The 14 lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot ceramics, one lot organic
materials, one lot faunal remains, one lot shell, one lot clay, one lot
wood, one lot petrified wood, one lot finescreen, one lot matrix, one
lot effigy, one lot ochre, one lot beads, and one lot discoidal.
Surveys were conducted by Memphis State University in 1972 and 1978 (J.
Guyer). At some point the collections were given to the C.H. Nash
Museum at Chucalissa. A systematic surface collection in 1989 under the
direction of Alfred L. Foster (Memphis State University) was conducted
at the site and both objects and human remains were collected and given
to the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. Objects and human remains were
removed from the site during two University of Memphis led field school
seasons that took place in 1997 and 1998. These collections were
brought to the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. These collections, as
well as a collection with an unknown history, were all transferred from
the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa to the DeSoto County Museum between
2013-2015. However, some of the artifacts from the 1997 field
excavation were accidentally sent to the Arkansas Archaeological survey
from the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. However, once identified as
coming from 222DS517, they were transferred to the DeSoto County Museum
in 2019, and so they were able to be included in the 2019 transfer of
all these collections to MDAH.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS519 (Shannon #2) previously listed in a Notice
of Inventory Completion published in the Federal Register on January
22, 2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The two lots of
associated funerary objects consist of one lot Native American ceramics
and one lot lithics. A collection removed by Memphis State University
in 1971 was transferred to the DeSoto County Museum between 2013-2015
and then transferred to MDAH in 2019. MDAH also has a collection from
1985 with an unknown history.
Human remains representing, at least, two individuals have been
identified from 22DS526 (Migva/Clifton Mound). The four lots of
associated funerary objects consist of one lot Native American
ceramics, one lot lithics, one
[[Page 59548]]
lot faunal remains, and one lot clay. The site was excavated in 1973
and 1980 by the University of Memphis. These included a surface
collection and an excavation from a mound at the site. These objects
were transferred to the DeSoto County Museum between 2013-2015 from the
C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, and then to MDAH in 2019. Included in
the transfer was a donation given to the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa
from the site with an unknown provenience.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DE526/527 (22DS526/527). The three lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot Native American
ceramics, and one lot faunal remains. The human remains and objects
from 22DE526/527 (22DS526/527) were collected by a Keith Rennick in
1973 either as an individual or with the University of Memphis.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DS630 (Sandpit). The five lots of associated funerary
objects consist of one lot lithics, one lot Native American ceramics,
one lot faunal remains, one lot clay, and one lot matrix. The site has
a collection with an unknown history and an additional collection
likely collected by Jay Mitchell.
Human remains representing, at least, one individual have been
identified from 22DS711 (C-1150-1). The five lots of associated
funerary objects consist of one lot faunal remains, one lot Native
American ceramics, one lot lithics, one lot clay, and one lot shell.
The collection has an unknown history.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS00D, a site associated with 22DS500 (Walls),
previously listed in a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the
Federal Register on January 22, 2021 and on July 14, 2022 (FR 2021-
01340 & FR 2022-15041) have been identified. The one lot of objects
consist of lithics. This unprovenienced collection was from Howard
Mize.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from 22DS000/D1979.07.01 (Harris Property) previously
listed in a Notice of Inventory Completion published in the Federal
Register on January 22, 2021 (FR 2021-01340) have been identified. The
four lots of associated funerary objects consist of one lot ceramics,
one lot clay, one lot lithics, and one lot petrified wood. A collector,
Lou White, donated a surface collection to the C.H. Nash Museum at
Chucalissa in 1979. The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa also received a
surface collection from Memphis State University. These collections
were transferred from the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa to the DeSoto
County Museum between 2012-2015. The collections were then transferred
from the DeSoto County Museum to MDAH in 2019.
No human remains are present; the remaining objects associated with
human remains from MAGS Lot #26 (Old River Bank at Walls) in DeSoto
County previously listed in a Notice of Inventory Completion published
in the Federal Register on March 29, 2023 (FR 2023-06475) have been
identified. The four lots of associated funerary objects consist of one
lot ceramics, one lot lithics, one lot faunal remains, and one lot
shell. This collection was transferred from the C.H. Nash Museum at
Chucalissa to the DeSoto County Museum between 2012-2015. The
collection was then transferred from the DeSoto County Museum to the
MDAH in 2019.
Through Tribal consultation, these 66 individuals and 127 lots of
associated funerary objects were identified as culturally affiliated
with The Chickasaw Nation. To our knowledge, no potentially hazardous
substances were used to treat any of the human remains or associated
funerary objects.
Cultural Affiliation
Based on the information available and the results of consultation,
cultural affiliation is clearly identified by the information available
about the human remains and associated funerary objects described in
this notice.
Determinations
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has determined
that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of 66 individuals of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 127 lots of 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 Chickasaw
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
20, 2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, the
Mississippi Department of Archives and History 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 Mississippi
Department of Archives and History 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: December 16, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-23388 Filed 12-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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