Notice2026-05375
Notice of Inventory Completion: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
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
March 19, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentNational Park Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey 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 Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations in this notice.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 13332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05375]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[N6996; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0042350; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]
Notice of Inventory Completion: Rutgers, The State University of
New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
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 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 April 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains
and associated funerary objects in this notice to Carol McCarty,
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 85 Somerset Street, New
Brunswick, NJ 08904, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b555a5c4b495a64494e55597b494e4f5c5e4948155e5f4e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f515e584f4d5e604d4a515d7f4d4a4b585a4d4c115a5b4a">[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
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 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 representing one individual have been identified. The
29 associated funerary objects are a projectile point, nodules of red
ochre, non-human bone awl, deer antler tip, turtle shells, small
stones, tube of soil. In 1874/5, a collection was donated and housed at
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. In April 2024, these ancestral
remains were identified in the collection. An original letter from
James Petit to George Cook of Rutgers College shows that in November
1872 ancestral remains were found on the premises of James J. Petit in
Salem County, NJ. Documentation shows that this ancestor was
transferred to the Cabinet of Rutgers College in 1874/5 by William
Lawson, Esq.
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 Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey has determined
that:
<bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the
physical remains of one individual of Native American ancestry.
<bullet> The 29 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 Delaware
Nation, Oklahoma and the Delaware Tribe of Indians.
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 April 20,
2026. If competing requests for repatriation are received, Rutgers, the
State University of New Jersey 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. Rutgers, the State University of
New Jersey 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: March 11, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-05375 Filed 3-18-26; 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 March 19, 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.