Notice2025-23539
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
Primary source
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Published
December 22, 2025
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item from Hawkins County, TN that meets the definition of an unassociated funerary object and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 59863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23539]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6806; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041628; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: Tennessee Department of
Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN
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 Tennessee Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA) intends to repatriate
a certain cultural item from Hawkins County, TN that meets the
definition of an unassociated funerary object and that has a cultural
affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in
this notice.
DATES: Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice may occur on or
after January 21, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item in this notice to Phillip R. Hodge, Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology (TDEC-DOA),
1216 Foster Avenue, Cole Building #3, Nashville, TN 37243, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2e2dadbde9cfaddd6d5d7f2c6dc9cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="75251d1c195b3d1a11121035011b5b121a03">[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
TDEC-DOA, and additional information on the determinations in this
notice, including the results of consultation, can be found in the
summary or related records. The National Park Service is not
responsible for the determinations in this notice.
Abstract of Information Available
A total of one cultural item from Hawkins County, Tennessee has
been requested for repatriation.
Site 40HW15, Hawkins County, TN
One artifact consisting of a sandstone pipe. This artifact was
donated to Bays Mountain Natural Area and Park and transferred to TDEC-
DOA in December 2022. No additional information is available regarding
the circumstances surrounding recovery. There is no known exposure to
hazardous substances or treatments.
DeterminationsDeterminations
The TDEC-DOA has determined that:
<bullet> The one cultural item described in this notice is
reasonably believed to have been placed intentionally with or near
human remains, and are connected, either at the time of death or later
as part of the death rite or ceremony of a Native American culture
according to the Native American traditional knowledge of a lineal
descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian organization. The
unassociated funerary object has been identified by a preponderance of
the evidence as related to human remains, specific individuals, or
families, or removed from a specific burial site or burial area of an
individual or individuals with cultural affiliation to an Indian Tribe
or Native Hawaiian organization.
<bullet> There is a reasonable connection between the cultural item
described in this notice and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal
Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.
Requests for Repatriation
Additional, written requests for repatriation of the cultural item
in this notice must be sent to the authorized representative identified
in this notice under ADDRESSES. Requests for repatriation may be
submitted by 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 a culturally affiliated Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian
organization.
Repatriation of the cultural item in this notice to a requestor may
occur on or after January 21, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the TDEC-DOA must determine the most
appropriate requestor prior to repatriation. Requests for joint
repatriation of the cultural item are considered a single request and
not competing requests. The TDEC-DOA is responsible for sending a copy
of this notice to the Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
identified in this notice and to any other consulting parties.
Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act,
25 U.S.C. 3004 and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.9.
Dated: December 11, 2025.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2025-23539 Filed 12-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 22, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.