Notice2026-00858
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) intends to repatriate a certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred object and that has a cultural affiliation with the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 11 (Friday, January 16, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 11 (Friday, January 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 2141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00858]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6868; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0041856; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Intended Repatriation: University of Pennsylvania
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia, PA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the University of Pennsylvania Museum of
Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) intends to repatriate a
certain cultural item that meets the definition of a sacred 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 February 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send additional, written requests for repatriation of the
cultural item in this notice to Dr. Christopher Woods, Williams
Director, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and
Anthropology, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6324, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7d3dec5d2d4c3d8c5f7c7d2d9d9dac2c4d2c2da99d8c5d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e2a273c2b2d3a213c0e3e2b2020233b3d2b3b2360213c29">[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
Penn Museum, 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 has been requested for repatriation.
The one sacred object is a carved wooden figure known as a ki'i akua
(god image). The figure, believed to depict Chief K[umacr]ali'i, was
unearthed in 1873 while digging a well on the property of Alexander
Adams, near an ancient heiau (temple) in Kalihi Valley on the island of
O'ahu, Hawai'i. Adams (1780-1871) served as an advisor and friend to
King Kamehameha I of Hawaii (ca. 1758-1819).
News of the discovery was subsequently reported in an English-
language newspaper on October 11, 1873, and in a Hawaiian-language
newspaper on October 15, 1873. According to newspaper accounts, the
wooden figure was given to an American associated with the U.S. naval
ship Portsmouth. Historical documentation suggests Dr. William Henry
Jones, a medical surgeon with the U.S. Navy assigned to the ship at the
time, was the likely recipient. In 1878, Jones donated the item to the
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP). The ANSP
transferred the figure to the Penn Museum on loan in 1936, and it was
formally gifted in 1997 (PM# 97-120-465). There is no known presence of
any hazardous substances.
Determinations
The Penn Museum has determined that:
<bullet> The one sacred object described in this notice is a
specific ceremonial object needed by a traditional Native American
religious leader for present-day adherents to practice traditional
Native American religion, according to the Native American traditional
knowledge of a lineal descendant, Indian Tribe, or Native Hawaiian
organization.
<bullet> There is a connection between the cultural item described
in this notice and the Hui Iwi Kuamo'o.
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 February 17, 2026. If competing requests for
repatriation are received, the Penn Museum 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 Penn Museum 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: January 9, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-00858 Filed 1-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 16, 2026.
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.