Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN

Issuing agencies

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) has completed an inventory of human remains from an unknown site in Polk County, TN, 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

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 209 (Friday, October 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 209 (Friday, October 30, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68545-68546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22151]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[N7612; NPS-WASO-NAGPRA-NPS0044104; PPWOCRADN0-PCU00RP14.R50000]


Notice of Inventory Completion: 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) has completed an 
inventory of human remains from an unknown site in Polk County, TN, 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 in this notice may occur on or 
after November 30, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send written requests for repatriation of the human remains 
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#19497170753751767d7e7c596d77377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c191a9a8adef89aea5a6a481b5afefa6aeb7">[email&#160;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 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, at least, two individuals were donated 
to TDEC-DOA in 2026 by a private citizen. The donor reported that her 
father removed the remains from an unknown site location along the 
Hiwassee River in Polk County during the early 20th century. There is 
glue present on the jaw of one of the individuals. During consultation, 
it was determined that the glue would remain to prevent further damage 
to the remains. There are no other known exposures to hazardous 
substances or treatments.

Cultural Affiliation

    Based on the information available and the results of consultation, 
cultural affiliation is reasonably identified by the geographical 
location or acquisition history of the human remains described in this 
notice.

Determinations

    The TCED-DOA has determined that:
    <bullet> The human remains described in this notice represent the 
physical remains of, at least, two individuals of Native American 
ancestry.
    <bullet> There is a connection between the human remains described 
in this notice and the Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; and the United Keetoowah Band of 
Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

[[Page 68546]]

Requests for Repatriation

    Written requests for repatriation of the human remains 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 described in this notice to a 
requestor may occur on or after November 30, 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 human remains 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.
    Authority: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 
25 U.S.C. 3003, and the implementing regulations, 43 CFR 10.10.

    Dated: October 22, 2026.
Melanie O'Brien,
Manager, National NAGPRA Program.
[FR Doc. 2026-22151 Filed 10-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P


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