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, seven individuals and 50 lots of associated funerary objects have been identified.

Site 40HA60, Hamilton County, TN

Human remains representing, at least, six individuals and 50 lots of associated funerary objects. Lotted AFOs include 33 lots of unsorted artifacts associated with unprovenanced ancestral remains and 17 lots of unsorted artifacts from “structure/house 2” associated with site burials 3, 4, and 5. These materials were donated to TDEC-DOA in 2007 by archaeology faculty from Sewanee, the University of the South. No information is available regarding the circumstances surrounding their original acquisition. There is no known exposure to hazardous substances or treatments.

Unknown Site, Hamilton County, TN

Human remains representing, at least, one individual. The box containing the ancestral remains indicates they were recovered from an estate. No further information is available regarding their collection or donation. There is no known exposure 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 and associated funerary objects described in this notice.

Determinations

The TDEC-DOA has determined that:

• The human remains described in this notice represent the physical remains of at least seven individuals of Native American ancestry.
• The 50 lots of associated funerary 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.
• There is a connection between the human remains described in this notice and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas; Cherokee Nation; Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Poarch Band of Creek Indians; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Thlopthlocco Tribal Town; and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

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 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 human remains and associated funerary objects 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.

90 FR 59854